Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami and his son Abdulaziz received N1 billion bail each from the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, while his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe was granted N500 million bail.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that each defendant must provide two sureties who own property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of Abuja. The defendants must also surrender their passports and cannot travel abroad without court permission.
The sureties must submit property documents, recent photographs and swear affidavits about their financial capacity. The defendants will remain in custody until they meet these conditions.
Malami served as Justice Minister from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He faces 16 counts of money laundering alongside his son and wife, who worked for Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accuses them of laundering approximately N9 billion in public funds. Prosecutors allege Malami concealed criminal proceeds by purchasing properties in Abuja, Kebbi and Kano.
The EFCC claims the defendants used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide over N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025. They allegedly moved another N600 million through the same company between September 2020 and February 2021.
In March 2021, the defendants allegedly kept N600 million as collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd from Sterling Bank, knowing the money came from illegal activities.
The charges stem from violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. Expected witnesses include investigators, bank officials, real estate agents and currency exchange operators.
The trial continues on February 17.
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