Photo: Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN)
By Mandy Park
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, remain in prison custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling on their bail application scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, and his son were arraigned last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count money laundering charge involving billions of naira in alleged illicit funds.
In addition to his son, Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, also stands accused in the case. The EFCC alleges that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son used corporate vehicles to conceal and retain proceeds of unlawful activity, including while acquiring properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.
At the resumed bail hearing today Friday, 2nd January, counsel for the defence, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, argued that the charges were bailable and that his clients were ready to stand trial to clear their names.
The prosecution, led by Mr. Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, vehemently opposed bail, arguing that the defendants posed a flight risk and could influence witness testimony.
After hearing both sides, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter until Wednesday for a ruling.
Until then, Malami and his co-defendants remain in custody.
Malami was first detained by the EFCC on December 8, 2025 after failing to meet conditions attached to an earlier administrative bail.
He has denied wrongdoing and labelled the prosecution politically motivated, a claim the anti-graft agency have rejected.
