The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, January 2, commenced hearing on the bail application of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who is facing money laundering charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Malami is currently being remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe. The three defendants are standing trial on a 16-count charge bordering on the alleged laundering of ₦8.7 billion.
During their arraignment on December 29, 2025, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following their plea, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered that they be remanded in custody pending the hearing of their bail application, which was fixed for January 2, 2026.
According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC alleged that the defendants used corporate entities, bank accounts, and real estate transactions to conceal the source of illicit funds. The commission claimed that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to disguise over ₦1.01 billion, while an additional ₦600 million reportedly passed through a Sterling Bank account linked to the company.
The EFCC further accused the defendants of laundering ₦500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama District, Abuja, as well as conspiring to launder ₦1.04 billion through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Limited. Another count alleged indirect control of ₦1.36 billion said to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
The court adjourned proceedings after hearing arguments on the bail application.
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