Breaking News: Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, Son and Wife Secure N1.5bn Bail in Abuja Money Laundering Case

Ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami SAN was granted bail in Abuja High court alongside his wife and son, N1.5bn bail in an EFCC Money Laundering trial

 The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail totaling N1.5 billion to the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; his son, Abdulaziz Malami; and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, following their arraignment on multiple money laundering charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Emeka Nwite, represents a major development in a case that has attracted intense national attention due to Malami’s former position as Nigeria’s chief law officer under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Court Sets Heavy Bail Conditions
In his carefully considered ruling, Justice Nwite granted Abubakar Malami and his son bail in the sum of N1 billion, while Hajia Bashir Asabe was granted bail in the amount of N500 million. However, the court attached stringent conditions to the bail, stressing the need to ensure that the defendants remain available for trial and do not interfere with ongoing investigations. Each of the defendants is required to provide two sureties in the same sum as their bail, with the sureties mandated to be owners of landed properties located in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa, three of Abuja’s most exclusive and high-value districts. As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports to the court.  Justice Nwite further ruled that the defendants must not travel outside Nigeria without prior court approval, warning that any violation would result in immediate revocation of bail.
The sureties must also:

• Submit original title documents of their properties for verification
• Provide two recent passport photographs
• Swear to an affidavit of means, confirming their financial capacity

Until all bail conditions are fully perfected, the court ordered that the defendants remain in custody.

Trial Adjourned to February 17
Following the bail ruling, Justice Nwite adjourned the case until February 17, when the trial is expected to commence in earnest. Legal observers believe the proceedings could span several months, given the complexity of the charges and the volume of evidence expected to be presented by the prosecution.

Who Is Abubakar Malami?
Abubakar Malami, SAN, served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from November 2015 to May 2023, making him one of the longest-serving occupants of the office.
As AGF, Malami was responsible for advising the federal government on legal matters and supervising high-profile corruption prosecutions. His tenure was marked by both praise and criticism, particularly over decisions related to plea bargains, asset recovery, and politically sensitive cases.

Details of the 16-Count Charge
The EFCC charged Malami, his son, and his wife with a 16-count offense bordering on money laundering, in alleged violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly engaged in complex financial transactions designed to conceal the origin of large sums of money believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Use of Property Firms to Conceal Funds
Court documents obtained reveal that one of the companies allegedly used in the scheme is Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, where Hajia Bashir Asabe was listed as an employee.
The EFCC alleged that the company was used to acquire choice properties in Abuja, Kebbi State, and Kano State, with the aim of laundering funds and disguising their true source.
Investigators claim the properties were deliberately spread across multiple locations to avoid detection and create the appearance of legitimate investments.

Over N1 Billion Allegedly Hidden Through Bank Transactions
The prosecution further told the court that between July 2022 and June 2025, the defendants allegedly used another firm, Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, to conceal over N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account. In addition, the EFCC accused the defendants of using the same company to divert approximately N600 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
According to investigators, the transactions were structured in a way that allegedly violated financial reporting regulations and anti-money laundering controls.

Hotel Loan and Cash Collateral Allegations
In another count, the EFCC alleged that the defendants retained N600 million in March 2021 as cash collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Limited from Sterling Bank.
The anti-graft agency claimed that the defendants were fully aware that the funds used as collateral were proceeds of crime, yet proceeded with the transaction regardless.

Witnesses Lined Up by EFCC
The EFCC disclosed that it plans to call several witnesses during the trial, including

• EFCC investigators
• Commercial bank officials
• Real estate agents
• Bureau de Change operators

These witnesses are expected to help the prosecution trace fund movements, establish ownership of properties, and link financial transactions to the defendants.

Defendants Maintain Innocence
At their arraignment, Malami, his son, and his wife pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Their legal team argued that the allegations are unfounded, insisting that the funds and properties in question were acquired through legitimate means. The defense is expected to challenge both the evidence and the credibility of prosecution witnesses.
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The case has generated widespread reactions across Nigeria, particularly because it involves a former attorney general who once supervised corruption cases. Analysts say the trial could become a litmus test for accountability in Nigeria’s justice system, while legal experts caution that the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. With bail conditions still to be perfected, the defendants will remain in custody pending compliance with the court’s directives. When proceedings resume on February 17, the Federal High Court is expected to begin hearing substantive evidence, marking the start of what could be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched corruption trials in recent years.
Primelineinfo will continue to monitor the case and provide verified updates as events unfold.

By Primelineinfo