The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, bail of N500 million pending trial over N9 billion in alleged money laundering charges.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case on Wednesday, also granted bail to Malami’s wife and son. The court ordered that Malami provide two sureties, each with landed property in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa. The Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court will verify the property documents, and the sureties must submit affidavits of means.
Malami is required to deposit his travel documents with the court and is barred from leaving the country without prior court approval. He and his sureties must also submit two recent passport photographs to the court.
Pending compliance with the bail conditions, Malami has been remanded in Kuje Prison. Business associates and supporters were reported at the court as efforts to secure his bail continued.
Justice Nwite scheduled the commencement of trial for February 17. The bail terms apply equally to Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Asabe Bashir, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 16-count charge of money laundering against the trio.
