Malami, Son, Face Court Today In ₦9 Billion Fraud Bail Battle

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Bashir Asabe, will today appear in the Federal High Court, Abuja, to pursue bail in connection with alleged ₦9 billion corruption charges brought against them by the Federal Government.

The defendants, currently in prison custody, are scheduled for the hearing of their written bail applications before Justice Emeka Nwite, who had earlier fixed the date following their arraignment on a 16-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Malami, his son, and Asabe, a staff member of Ramadiya Property Limited remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During proceedings on Tuesday, the defendants’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), requested bail orally, emphasizing that the alleged offences are bailable and not capital in nature. He stressed that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and urged the court to grant bail without delay.

Representing the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) opposed the application, citing Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which mandates that the court consider specific factors before granting bail. He argued that these considerations require affidavit evidence from both the prosecution and defence to enable a fair and judicious decision.

Justice Nwite subsequently denied the oral application, directing the defendants to submit formal written bail applications, and adjourned the matter to today for the hearing of these written submissions.