A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 7 to rule on the bail application filed by Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
Gatekeepers News reports that Malami was arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, on a 16-count charge brought against them by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The three defendants pleaded not guilty before the trial judge, Emeka Nwite.
During the initial proceedings, counsel for the defendants, Joseph Daudu, sought to move for an oral bail application. The court, however, ruled that the prosecution should be allowed to respond to the written bail application already filed by the defence in the interest of justice and fair hearing.
The judge subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail request.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, Daudu formally argued the bail applications for the defendants, while Emmanuel Ekele Iheanacho opposed the request on behalf of the EFCC.
After listening to both parties, the court said it would not be able to give an immediate ruling due to its workload and adjourned the matter to January 7.
According to EFCC, the defendants conspired to launder proceeds of unlawful activities over ten years, involving transactions said to be worth more than N8.1 billion.
The commission said the funds were allegedly moved through bank accounts and companies linked to members of the Malami family, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that some of the funds were kept as cash collateral for bank facilities, while others were used to acquire properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi State.
The transactions were structured in a way intended to conceal the source and ownership of the funds and evade regulatory checks.
The alleged offences are said to violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and other relevant laws.
The case will continue on January 7 when the court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bail application.
