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Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has been remanded in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, following his arraignment on multi-billion-naira money laundering charges.
The Federal High Court on Tuesday ordered that Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe, remain in prison pending the hearing and determination of their formal bail applications.
The decision was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the proceedings.
The trio were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge alleging conspiracy, unlawful acquisition of assets, and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities.
The prosecution claims the offences involved funds and property deals amounting to several billions of naira.
In court, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
A bail application submitted in writing had already been filed, but when defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, sought an immediate oral bail, Justice Nwite declined the request.
The judge ruled that granting bail without giving the prosecution adequate time to respond would undermine the prosecution’s right to a fair hearing.
The substantive bail hearing has been adjourned to January 2, 2026.
The EFCC alleges that, between 2015 and 2025, Malami, his son and Asabe used corporate entities and bank accounts to conceal the origins of funds they “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activity.
Among the bodies cited in court filings are Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, which were allegedly used to hide and launder funds through various transactions and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi States.
Specific allegations include the concealment of over N1 billion in a Sterling Bank account and the acquisition of high-end properties in affluent districts of Abuja.
The charges refer to violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Justice for eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari, has been under EFCC investigation since early December 2025.
The anti-graft agency’s action reflects its mandate to tackle alleged high-profile financial crimes.
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