By Wellington Jopelo
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will on January 7 deliver its decision on the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who are currently facing money laundering charges.
The date was fixed by Justice Emeka Nwite after legal representatives of both parties concluded arguments on the bail requests. Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecuting lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), formally adopted their court filings before the judge adjourned the matter.
The EFCC has arraigned Malami, his wife, and son as the first, second, and third defendants in the case, which is registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025. The anti-corruption agency is prosecuting them over alleged financial crimes linked to money laundering.
According to the EFCC, the defendants are accused of carrying out several questionable transactions and making efforts to conceal the source of large sums of money. The agency alleged that the funds were moved through multiple bank accounts and used to acquire properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi states.
The commission said the alleged offences span a ten-year period, from 2015 to 2025, including the years Malami served as Attorney-General under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
It further alleged that the defendants jointly acted to disguise the origin of the funds, retain proceeds believed to be unlawful, and acquire assets through indirect means.
The EFCC maintained that the actions of the defendants contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
The court’s ruling on the bail applications is expected to determine the next phase of the case.
More details later.