Court Orders Remand of Malami, Son, and Associate in Kuje Over Alleged Money Laundering

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and Bashir Asabe at the Kuje Correctional Facility. The remand will last pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.

Ruling on an oral bail request submitted by the defendants’ counsel, Justice Nwite stated that granting bail at this stage would amount to an ambush, as a written bail application had already been filed. Following the defendants’ plea of not guilty to a sixteen-count charge, the court adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, for the formal hearing of the bail application.

Charges and Allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the trio on Tuesday, bringing charges that include large-scale money laundering and illegal acquisition of properties valued at over N8.7 billion. According to the indictment (FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025), the defendants allegedly conspired to conceal and retain proceeds from unlawful activities between 2015 and 2025, primarily within Abuja.

Financial institutions lined up as EFCC moves against ex-AGF Malami

The EFCC claims Malami and his son used multiple corporate entities and bank accounts, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, to obscure the origin of funds totaling over N1.6 billion.

Several high-value properties in Maitama, Garki, Jabi, Asokoro, and Gwarimpa were allegedly acquired using these illicit funds, with Hajia Bashir Asabe allegedly facilitating ownership disguises on Malami’s behalf. The commission listed investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives among its witnesses.

Legal Implications and Next Steps

The charges are said to violate the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The court’s decision to remand the defendants underscores the seriousness of the allegations and signals that the case will proceed with close judicial scrutiny.

The Federal High Court will resume on January 2, 2026, to hear the written bail application and determine the next course of action.