A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and one other defendant, Hajia Bashir Asabe, at the Kuje Correctional Facility pending the determination of their bail application.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order on Tuesday, ruled that granting the defendants bail based on an oral application would amount to an ambush, noting that a formal written bail application had already been filed by the defence.
The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of properties preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Following their plea, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
The EFCC accused Malami, his son, and their associate of conspiring to conceal, retain, and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to over ₦8.7 billion through multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the alleged offences occurred between 2015 and 2025, largely within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation.
The commission alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to launder over ₦1.6 billion through a Sterling Bank account between 2020 and 2025.
The EFCC further claimed that the defendants acquired several high-end properties across Abuja, including luxury homes in Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Garki, and Gwarimpa, valued at hundreds of millions of naira.
Other alleged acquisitions were said to be located in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi, reportedly purchased through proxies and corporate fronts to conceal ownership.
Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, was accused of playing a key role in facilitating the transactions and disguising the true ownership of the properties.
The anti-graft agency stated that the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC said it would call several witnesses, including investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives, to prove its case.
