The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Abubakar Malami, a former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of Malami’s co-defendants, his son, Abubakar Malami and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe.
The court also fixed Tuesday January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail applications filed by the trio.
The order followed arguments by defence counsel led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering amounting to N8.7 billion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.
The charge sheet alleges that the offences span several years and involve the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as attorney-general of the federation, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Details shortly.