A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, in the Kuje Correctional Centre following their arraignment on alleged money laundering charges totalling about ₦8.7 billion.
The trio were arraigned on Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge alleging conspiracy to disguise, conceal and retain the proceeds of unlawful activities through various bank accounts, companies and high-value property acquisitions across the country.
At the commencement of the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told the court that the matter was for arraignment and requested that the charge be read to the defendants to enable them take their pleas. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which the EFCC says span several years and involved the use of companies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide multi-billion naira sums in bank accounts and to retain cash as collateral for loans while acquiring numerous properties in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi.
Following the not guilty pleas, defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, made an oral application for bail, arguing that the alleged offences were bailable under Nigerian law. However, prosecution counsel opposed the oral application, urging the court to allow time to formally respond to the bail motion already filed by the defence.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite declined to grant bail at this stage, saying that granting the request before the prosecution filed its response would amount to an “ambush” and breach the prosecution’s right to fair hearing. “I am of the view that the interest of justice will be met by allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application filed by the defendants,” the judge said, before ordering that the three remain in Kuje Correctional Centre while their formal bail application will be heard on January 2, 2026.
The EFCC alleges that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son used corporate structures to conceal over ₦1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account when they “reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed proceeds of unlawful activity.” Other charges include allegedly retaining funds as cash collateral for loans and using the proceeds to acquire luxury real estate and businesses.
While Malami has not publicly commented at the court proceedings, his legal team maintained that he would vigorously defend himself against the allegations. Supporters of the former AGF have framed the charges as politically motivated, though the EFCC maintains that its case is based on evidence of alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The order to remand Malami, his wife and son marks a significant development in one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent Nigerian history, coming as the anti-graft agency continues to pursue allegations of financial crime involving senior public figures. Further developments are expected when the court reconvenes in early January to rule on the bail applications and set dates for substantive trial.
