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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering charges.
The defendants were re-arraigned before the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja following the reassignment of the case to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after two judicial officers recused themselves from the matter.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the case was appearing for the first time before the new trial judge and requested that the defendants take their pleas.
Malami, his wife, and his son all pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge filed against them by the anti-graft agency.
Counsel to Malami, Joseph Daudu (SAN), drew the court’s attention to the bail earlier granted to the defendants on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court, noting that the conditions had already been perfected.
The defence urged the court to adopt the existing bail conditions, arguing that the Federal High Court operates as a single judicial institution nationwide and that such adoption would serve the interest of justice.
Although the EFCC prosecution team confirmed that bail had previously been granted and perfected, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the earlier proceedings had been legally terminated following the reassignment of the case. She therefore directed that fresh bail applications must be filed.
Consequently, the court ordered that Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail application.
The court fixed March 6, 2026, for the hearing of the new bail application.
The re-arraignment forms part of ongoing anti-corruption proceedings involving alleged financial infractions linked to the former minister and his family. The case continues to draw public attention due to Malami’s previous role as Nigeria’s chief law officer.
