Abuja Federal High Court Remands Malami, Wife and Son in Correctional Centres

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz, over alleged money laundering.

The defendants are re-arraigned before the federal high Court in Abuja, following the reassignment of the case to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik due to the recusal of two judicial officers.

At the resumed session. Prosecution counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN told the court that the matter was coming up for the first time before the new trial judge and applied for the defendants’ pleas to be taken. Malami and the two other defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16 -count charge.

Malami’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN drew the attention of the court to the January 7 bail granted by justice Emeka Nwite of the same court and perfected by his clients.

The defendants’ counsel urged the court to adopt the same bail conditions on the ground that the federal high court is one in Nigeria and in the interest of justice.

Although the counsel to EFCC Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, confirmed the grant and perfection of the bail conditions, justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite had been legally terminated and that fresh bail applications must be filed.

With this development, the court sent Malami, SAN and his son to Kuje correctional centre while the wife was sent to Suleja correctional centre.
Their bail application will be heard on 6th march, 2026.