Federal High Court Grants Bail To Malami, Wife, Son In N8.7BN Money Laundering Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz Malami.

Judge Emeka Nwite on Wednesday set bail for each of them at N500 million in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Meeting the bail conditions will end Mr Malami’s 31-day detention in EFCC and Kuje Correctional Centre custody. He was first detained by the EFCC from 8 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 before being remanded to Kuje following his arraignment.

His wife and son, who have spent 16 days in custody, were detained by the EFCC between 23 December and 30 December and subsequently remanded alongside Mr Malami.

Malami, who served as AGF under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023, is standing trial with his wife and son on 16 counts of money laundering involving approximately N8.7 billion. The EFCC alleges retention of proceeds from unlawful activity and acquisition of assets through suspicious funds. The defendants have denied all charges.

Defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, initially applied for bail shortly after their arraignment on 30 December, but the prosecution, represented by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, opposed the request. The court initially remanded the defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre, citing the prosecution’s right to a fair hearing.

The bail hearing was later held on 2 January. Defence lawyers argued that the offences were bailable and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, while the EFCC opposed the application, citing the severity of the allegations and potential witness interference.

Judge Nwite adjourned ruling until 7 January, leading to the temporary return of Mr Malami, his wife, and son to prison before the eventual bail grant.