The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son and one of his wives, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, made the order pending the hearing and determination of their bail application after listening to arguments from both the defence and the prosecution.
Malami, his son, Abubakar Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, are standing trial on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ruling followed submissions by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN), during proceedings on Tuesday.
According to the charge sheet, the EFCC alleges that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.
The commission further alleged that the offences involved the use of multiple companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of large sums of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations across the country.
The EFCC also claimed that some of the alleged offences were committed while Malami was serving as the nation’s chief law officer, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail applications, which are expected to be heard at a later date.
