Court Remands Ex-AGF Malami, Wife and Son Over Alleged N8.7bn Money Laundering

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, pending the hearing of their bail applications.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-arraigned the three defendants on a 16-count charge linked to alleged money laundering totalling N8.7 billion.

Following the court’s ruling, Malami and Abdulaziz were sent to Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, while Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.

During proceedings, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), asked the court to correct two figures in the charge sheet. Count 11 was amended from N325 billion to N325 million, while Count 12 was adjusted from N120 billion to N120 million. The defence did not object, and the court approved the corrections.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty. After the plea, Okutepa asked for a trial date. Defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to adopt bail terms earlier granted on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite in a related matter.

The prosecution argued that this was a fresh hearing before a different court and that bail should be considered on terms determined by the present judge. Justice Abdulmalik agreed that the court was not tied to the previous ruling, stating that earlier proceedings were terminated once the case started afresh.

The judge also declined an oral bail request and directed the defence to file a formal bail application. Daudu then raised concerns about access to the defendants, saying Malami and Abdulaziz had earlier been held by the Department of State Services. The court instructed the prosecution to ensure counsel could meet the defendants.

Justice Abdulmalik fixed March 6 for commencement of trial and hearing of the bail applications.

According to the EFCC, Malami, his wife and son used illicit funds to acquire properties in Abuja and other states while he was in office as Minister of Justice. The matter was first filed on December 30, 2025, before Justice Nwite, who had remanded the defendants and granted each of them N500 million bail with two sureties.