Court Remands Malami, Son, Co-Defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu | December 30, 2025.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his son and a co-defendant, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The order was made by Justice Emeka Nwite, following an oral application for bail moved by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, during proceedings in the high-profile money-laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that although the court possesses the discretionary power to grant bail, such power must be exercised judiciously and in line with the principles of fair hearing and justice, particularly where the prosecution has not yet responded to the bail application already filed by the defence.
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“I have listened to the submissions of learned counsel on both sides and also gone through the relevant laws,” the judge said.
“It is not in dispute that an application for bail has been filed by the defendants.
It is also not in dispute that the bail application has been served on the prosecution.
It is equally not in dispute that the said application cannot be withdrawn by the defendants.”
Justice Nwite stressed that granting bail at this stage, without hearing from the prosecution, would amount to an ambush and a violation of the prosecution’s constitutional right to fair hearing.
“Though the court can exercise its power to grant bail, such power must be exercised after the prosecution has had the opportunity to respond.
Granting bail in the absence of the prosecution’s response will breach the right to fair hearing,” he ruled.
He consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail applications.
EFCC Allegations
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, was filed by the EFCC, which is prosecuting the defendants on allegations of money laundering and corruption.
According to court documents, the EFCC named Mr. Abubakar Malami as the 1st defendant, Hajia Bashir Asabe as the 2nd defendant, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami as the 3rd defendant.
Investigators allege that the former justice minister is linked to 41 properties spread across Kano State, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Kebbi State, with an estimated value of over ₦212 billion. The anti-graft agency claims the properties were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities, an allegation the defendants have denied.
A Case of National Interest
The arraignment of a former Attorney-General has attracted widespread public attention, given Malami’s prominent role in Nigeria’s justice system during his tenure in office. Legal analysts note that the case could become a major test of Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, particularly in relation to politically exposed persons.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges, and their legal team has maintained that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated, insisting they will be vigorously contested in court.
As proceedings continue in the new year, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court, where the prosecution is expected to respond to the bail applications and the trial is set to unfold.
(NAN)
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 31ST 2025)
