Federal High Court Grants ₦200 Million Bail To Ex‑AGF Malami, Wife And Son Under Strict Conditions

Federal High Court Grants ₦200 Million Bail to Ex‑AGF Malami, Wife and Son Under Strict Conditions A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail of ₦200 million each to former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz Malami in their ongoing money laundering prosecution brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Presiding over the matter, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the three defendants to bail after they filed fresh bail applications following their re‑arraignment by the anti‑graft agency. Each defendant was required to produce two sureties, each in like sum, to meet the bail terms.

In a bid to ensure that the accused remain within the jurisdiction of the court pending trial, Justice Abdulmalik imposed stringent conditions as part of the bail order:

• Property Title Deeds: One of the sureties for each defendant must deposit title deeds of landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, two of Abuja’s most exclusive districts.
• Passport Surrender: The court also directed Malami, his wife, and his son to deposit their international passports with the court registry.
• Custody Pending Perfection: Until the bail conditions are fully met, the defendants are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
• Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to 16 March 2026 for the commencement of trial proceedings. The defendants are facing a 16‑count charge relating to alleged money laundering and other financial offences accusations that they conspired to conceal illicit funds through corporate entities and used such funds to acquire high‑value properties across Nigeria, including in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi states. During their arraignment on 27 February 2026, the trio pleaded not guilty to the charges laid before the court. The bail ruling comes amid heightened legal scrutiny of the former AGF who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as part of ongoing efforts by anti‑corruption authorities to prosecute alleged financial crimes involving high‑profile public figures.