A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz Malami, who are currently facing trial over alleged money laundering.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of ₦200 million each with two sureties in like sum.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered that one of the sureties must deposit title deeds of properties located in either Maitama or Asokoro, both highbrow districts of Abuja.
The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, Malami, his wife and their son are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until March 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case forms part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes involving the former chief law officer of the federation and members of his family. Prosecutors allege that Malami, alongside his wife and son, laundered about ₦8.7 billion through a network of companies and property acquisitions.
According to the charges before the court, the defendants allegedly conspired to conceal illicit funds through corporate entities including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited.
The prosecution further alleged that the funds were used to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and other parts of the country, including Kano State and Kebbi State.
The case was recently reassigned to Justice Abdulmalik after earlier judges handling the matter either recused themselves or transferred the case file.
Terrorism Financing and Firearms Charges
In a separate but related criminal case, Malami and his son are also facing a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
Prosecutors allege that while serving as Attorney General of the Federation, Malami failed to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office in November 2022.
They are also accused of unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm and ammunition, including 16 live cartridges and 27 expended cartridges allegedly discovered at their residence in Birnin Kebbi in December 2025.
The prosecution of the case was recently taken over by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, from the State Security Service on March 4, 2026.
The court had earlier adjourned that case until March 10, 2026, to allow the Attorney General’s office review the case files.
Meanwhile, the legal challenges facing Malami have also extended to asset recovery proceedings. In a related development, a Federal High Court previously ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to the former minister, reportedly valued at about ₦213 billion.
The cases have sparked political reactions following Malami’s recent defection to the African Democratic Congress. Some of his supporters have claimed the legal actions against him are politically motivated and linked to his departure from the All Progressives Congress.
The trial in the money laundering case is expected to begin on March 16, 2026, when the court will commence hearing evidence from both the prosecution and the defence.
About The Author
