A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered that Malami’s co-defendants — his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe — be remanded in custody.
The ruling followed arguments from both the defence team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and the other defendants are standing trial on a 16-count charge of money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired at different times to conceal, retain, and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.
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The charges claim that the alleged offences took place over a number of years and involved the use of multiple companies and bank accounts to launder funds. The commission also accused the defendants of using cash as collateral for loans and acquiring high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and other locations across the country.
The EFCC further alleged that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
The court is expected to hear the bail application at a later date.
