The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an ally, Hajia Bashir Asabe, be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications. The court has fixed January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail requests.
All three defendants were arraigned earlier by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge relating to alleged money laundering, unlawful acquisition of assets, and conspiracy. A video released by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on X showed Malami present in court as the charges were read. The defendants pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC alleges that Malami abused his office between 2015 and 2023 to funnel suspicious funds through private companies, property deals, and bank transactions he “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activities. Among the charges, Malami and his son are accused of using Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to conceal over N1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account and retaining N600 million as collateral for a loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the money was suspicious.
Other allegations include the use of property companies and Bureau De Change operators to disguise payments for high-end properties in Abuja, Onitsha Crescent, Jabi, Gwarimpa, and Kano. Properties cited include a N500 million luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, N700 million property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, and N850 million Meethaq Hotels in Jabi.
The EFCC has listed multiple witnesses, including investigators, bankers, and Bureau De Change operators, who will testify about how petitions and intelligence reports triggered the investigation. One witness, Hassan Aliyu, reportedly claims his company’s account was used for large-scale transactions without his full knowledge.
Despite the serious allegations, Malami, his son, and Asabe maintain their innocence, entering not guilty pleas and forcing the case into full trial proceedings. The court will next hear the matter regarding their bail on January 2, 2026.
