Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir, bail of N500 million each pending trial. The bail is in connection with a 16-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging the concealment of proceeds from unlawful activities worth billions of naira.
The judge ordered that Malami provide two sureties with landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa, which will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar. He must also deposit his travel documents with the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without its express permission. The former AGF and his sureties are required to submit two recent passport photographs to the court, and Malami remains in Kuje Prison until bail conditions are perfected.
The charges against the trio allege that they conspired to conceal funds used to purchase luxury properties in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations between November 2015 and June 2025. Counts include allegedly using Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited to launder sums exceeding N1 billion and millions of naira paid for various real estate acquisitions, including properties on Amazon Street, Maitama, and Jabi District, Abuja.
During the bail hearing, the EFCC opposed their release, citing Malami’s international connections and influence, which it claimed could be used to evade trial or interfere with witnesses. However, Justice Nwite ruled that the EFCC’s allegations were speculative, noting that no witnesses were identified as having been compromised, and emphasized that the Constitution presumes the innocence of the accused until proven guilty.
The court fixed February 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial. Malami has been in EFCC custody since December 8, 2025, after failing to meet earlier bail conditions. His lawyers and associates have been actively working to secure his release, which is expected to allow him to prepare for trial while complying with the court’s stringent bail requirements.
