A Federal High Court has ordered former AGF Abubakar Malami to remain in custody pending a January 7 bail decision.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned its ruling on the bail applications of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife Asabe Bashir to January 7, ordering that they remain in custody until then.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the directive after hearing submissions from both the defence and the prosecution in the ongoing case. The trio is facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on the alleged concealment of illicit funds amounting to ₦1.014 billion and the unlawful acquisition of assets valued at several billions of naira. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the EFCC had earlier granted the accused administrative bail and therefore had no justification to oppose their application for judicial bail. However, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), opposed the request, insisting that the bail application lacked merit and urging the court to dismiss it.
Explaining his decision to adjourn the ruling, Justice Nwite said he was sitting as a vacation judge and had several pending rulings to deliver. He fixed January 7 for the bail decision, directing that Abubakar Malami and his son remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir continues her detention at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the court’s determination.