Court Grants Malami, Son Bail

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and his son Abdulaziz in the sum of two hundred million naira each and two surties in like sum with a property in either Maitama or Asokoro Abuja.

Malami and his son are being prosecuted by the Department of State Services on a five,,-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and alleged illegal possession of firearms which they pleaded not guilty to.

Following their pleas of not guilty, defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN informed the court of a bail application which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel.

Justice Joyce Abdul Malik therefore granted bail to the defendants and adjourned the case to March 4 for Commencement of trial.

Meanwhile in another case involving the Former Attorney General of the federation, his wife and son are standing trial on a 16- count preferred against them by the EFCC, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the former AGF Malami, SAN and two others to be remanded in Correctional Facility pending the outcome of their bail application.

The sixteen count charge border on alleged money laundering and illicit possession of assets valued at More than eight billion naira.

At the resume trial, the defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN urged the court to allow his clients enjoy the bail granted earlier by Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court, but the prosecution objected to the prayer on the ground that since the former AGF and two others are being re-arraigned and took their plea of not guilty what transpired in Justice Nwite was null and void.

After hearing both parties Justice Abdul Malik adjourned the case to March 6th to hear the bail application and ordered that they should be in custody of Correctional service facilities.