By Muhammad Mamman
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, along with his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami, have been granted bail of ₦200 million each by the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a high-profile money laundering case.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set stringent conditions for the release, including the provision of two sureties for each defendant, one of whom must deposit title deeds of properties in Abuja’s upscale Maitama or Asokoro districts. All three defendants are also required to surrender their international passports to the court registry. Until these conditions are met, they remain in custody under the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The ruling follows a bail application submitted after the trio’s re-arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They face a 16-count charge linked to alleged money laundering, which they have pleaded not guilty to. Their initial court appearance was on February 27, 2026.
The trial has been adjourned to March 16, 2026, when proceedings are set to commence. Legal analysts note that the bail terms, particularly the property-based sureties, signal the court’s intent to balance high bail with safeguards ensuring the defendants’ compliance.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting ongoing concerns over alleged financial misconduct at the highest levels of Nigeria’s public service.
