Federal High Court Orders Remand of Former AGF Malami Pending Bail Hearing
The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, 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, presiding, also directed the remand of Malami’s co‑defendants; his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe. The order followed arguments advanced by defence counsel led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, and submissions from the prosecution team headed by Ekele Iheneacho, SAN.
Malami and his co‑defendants face a 16‑count charge bordering on money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at over ₦1.014 billion.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the defendants allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to conceal ₦1.014 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, and ₦600.01 million deposited between September 2020 and February 2021.
The defendants were also accused of retaining ₦600 million as collateral for a ₦500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
In another count, the commission alleged that the defendants indirectly controlled ₦1.36 billion through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd between November 2022 and October 2025.
The EFCC further alleged that Malami and his associates acquired multiple high‑value properties to disguise the source and beneficial ownership of illicit funds, including: ₦500 million for a duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama; ₦700 million for a property at Onitsha Crescent, Garki; ₦850 million for a property in Jabi District; ₦430 million for a property on Rhine Street, Maitama; ₦210 million and ₦325 million for properties in Asokoro District; ₦120 million for a property in Efab Estate, Gwarimpa
Additional acquisitions allegedly involved properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi, valued at ₦952 million, with ownership concealed through proxies and corporate fronts.
Hajia Bashir Asabe, identified as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, was alleged to have facilitated several of the transactions on Malami’s behalf.
The EFCC maintains that the offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Malami, served for eight years as Attorney General under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
