Court Grants Malami Bail, Fixes January 5 Hearing.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
December 23, 2025.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Judicial Division, on Tuesday granted interim bail to the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a matter involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ruling was delivered on December 23, 2025, by Hon. Justice Bello Kawu while presiding over Motion No: M/17220/2025. In granting the application, the court ordered that Malami be released on the same terms earlier set by the EFCC, including the surrender of his international passport and the execution of bail bonds by two reputable sureties.
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According to the court order, the sureties are to be the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council and a serving member of the House of Representatives representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency of Kebbi State.
Justice Kawu also reviewed and reactivated bail conditions previously fulfilled by the applicant on November 28, 2025. Those conditions included the formal provision of the two sureties and the deposit of Malami’s international passport with the appropriate authorities.
In his ruling, the judge held that the application for interim bail was meritorious and granted it on the grounds of “exceptional hardship,” pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice filed before the court.
“The court is satisfied that the applicant has met the necessary conditions and that the interest of justice will be served by granting interim bail,” Justice Kawu ruled, stressing that the relief was temporary and subject to the outcome of the main application.
The case has been adjourned to January 5, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
The order was issued under the official seal of the High Court of Justice, Abuja, and duly signed by the Registrar, Hadiza Sambo Gwandu.
A reliable source familiar with the proceedings confirmed the development, stating that Malami has accepted all the conditions attached to the bail as earlier proposed by the EFCC.
The source added that the court fixed January 5 for the continuation of proceedings, at which time arguments on the substantive motion will be heard.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023, has been under investigation by the EFCC over allegations relating to his tenure in office. His legal team maintains that he is innocent of the allegations and has expressed confidence that he will be fully cleared when the matter is determined on its merits.
The January 5 hearing is expected to further clarify the legal positions of both parties as the court considers the substantive issues raised in the case.
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 24TH 2025)
