The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, also ordered that Malami’s co-defendants—his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe—be remanded in custody.
The court gave the order after listening to arguments from the defence team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and the other defendants are facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.
According to the charge, the alleged offences span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, as well as 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.
