Court remands Malami, son, wife in Kuje prison… here’s what to know

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja 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 issued the order shortly after Malami was arraigned alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an official of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir, on a 16-count criminal charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their legal team subsequently made an oral application for bail, urging the court to release them pending trial. However, Justice Nwite declined to entertain the oral request, citing procedural fairness and the need to protect the prosecution’s right to respond adequately.

Court Rejects Oral Bail Application

In his ruling, Justice Nwite explained that a written bail application had already been filed by the defence and formally served on the prosecution earlier in court. According to him, granting bail based on an oral application under such circumstances would amount to denying the prosecution fair hearing.

The judge stressed that the court could not ignore the written application already before it simply because the defence opted to pursue an oral request. Entertaining the oral application, he said, would amount to ambushing the prosecution, which is legally entitled to time to study and respond to the written motion.

Consequently, the court ordered that Malami be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until January 2 for the hearing of the bail application.

Allegations of Multi-Billion Naira Financial Crimes

The EFCC accused Malami, his son, and Hajia Bashir of conspiracy, money laundering, and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities involving billions of naira.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed between November 2015 and June 2025, spanning Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The anti-graft agency alleged that funds suspected to have been unlawfully acquired were used to purchase luxury properties across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations through a network of companies and bank accounts.

Details of Specific Counts

In count one, Malami and his son were accused of procuring Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited between July 2022 and June 2025 to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦1,014,848,500 lodged in a Sterling Bank account. The EFCC alleged that the defendants reasonably ought to have known the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In count two, the same company was allegedly used to conceal another sum exceeding ₦600 million.

Another count accused the defendants of using Rahamaniyya Properties Limited in November 2022 to conceal ₦500 million paid for a luxury duplex located on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

In counts five and six, the trio were alleged to have conspired between November 2022 and September 2024 to disguise and indirectly control over ₦1.36 billion channelled through Meethaq Hotels Ltd accounts with Union Bank, funds the EFCC said were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Additional charges included the alleged concealment of:

• ₦700 million for a property at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja

• ₦850 million for a property at Plot 683, Jabi District

  
  
  

• ₦430 million for a Maitama property acquired in February 2018

• ₦210 million for an Asokoro property in the same period

• ₦325 million for another Asokoro property between 2021

• ₦120 million for a Gwarimpa property between 2015 and 2016

Background to Malami’s Detention

Malami has been in EFCC custody since December 8, following his alleged failure to meet administrative bail conditions earlier granted by the commission. The case marks one of the most high-profile prosecutions involving a former Nigerian Attorney-General.

The trial is expected to resume after the court rules on the bail application in January.

FAQ

Q: Why was Abubakar Malami remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre?
A: The court ordered his remand pending the hearing of a written bail application, citing the need to allow the prosecution time to respond.

Q: How many charges did the EFCC file against Malami?
A: The EFCC filed a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

Q: Who are the other defendants in the case?
A: Malami’s son, Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Asabe Bashir of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.

Q: What law were the alleged offences said to have violated?
A: The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Q: When will the bail application be heard?
A: The court adjourned the case to January 2 for the bail hearing.