The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 7 to rule on the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz.
Justice Emeka Nwite set the date on Friday after lawyers to both parties adopted their written processes and argued their positions before the court.
Malami, his wife and son are standing trial in a money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, listed the former minister as the first defendant, his wife as the second defendant, and his son as the third defendant.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly carried out several suspicious financial transactions and attempted to hide the source of billions of naira through multiple bank accounts and property purchases in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025, a period which covers Malami’s time in office as Attorney-General under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Commission further alleged that Malami, his wife and son conspired to disguise the origin of the funds, acquired properties through indirect means, and retained money they allegedly knew to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC said the alleged acts violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011, as amended, and the 2022 Act.
After listening to arguments from Malami’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till January 7 for a ruling on the bail applications.
