Court Orders Remand of Abubakar Malami, Son, 1 Other in Kuje over Alleged Money Laundering
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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, at the Kuje Correctional Facility, pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.
The ruling followed their arraignment on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and large-scale corruption, brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ejes Gist News reports that the court declined an oral bail request, citing procedural and legal grounds.
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Court Rejects Oral Bail Application
Delivering his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite held that granting bail orally at this stage would amount to an ambush on the prosecution, as the defendants’ legal team had already filed a formal written bail application.
The judge emphasized that once a written application has been submitted, parties must wait for it to be properly heard and determined in line with due process.
Justice Nwite subsequently ordered that all three defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility and adjourned proceedings to January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
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Defendants Plead Not Guilty to 16-Count Charge
The trio were arraigned before the court on Tuesday and each pleaded not guilty to all sixteen counts read to them.
The charges, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, allege a coordinated scheme involving the concealment, retention, and disguise of proceeds of unlawful activities through multiple financial and property transactions.
EFCC Details Scope of Alleged Money Laundering
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences span nearly ten years, between 2015 and 2025, and were largely carried out within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, during Malami’s tenure as Nigeria’s Attorney General.
The anti-graft agency accused the defendants of using corporate entities, proxy ownership, and layered banking transactions to launder funds running into billions of naira.
Use of Corporate Accounts Alleged
Court documents indicate that Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal illicit funds.
The EFCC claimed that:
- ₦1.014 billion was retained in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025.
- An additional ₦600.01 million was allegedly deposited between September 2020 and February 2021 through the same corporate structure.
Investigators allege these transactions were structured to evade detection and mask the origin of the funds.
High-Value Properties Listed in Charge Sheet
The EFCC detailed several high-value real estate acquisitions allegedly funded with proceeds of unlawful activities.
Properties listed include:
- A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, acquired for ₦500 million.
- A property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, purchased for ₦700 million.
- A residential property in Jabi District, valued at ₦850 million.
Additional properties allegedly acquired include:
- Rhine Street, Maitama – ₦430 million
- Asokoro District – ₦210 million and ₦325 million
- Efab Estate, Gwarimpa – ₦120 million
EFCC Alleges Use of Proxies and Fronts
The commission further alleged that Malami used unlawful proceeds totaling ₦952 million to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023.
According to the charge sheet, these properties were allegedly purchased through proxies and corporate fronts to obscure beneficial ownership and avoid regulatory scrutiny.
Role of Bashir Asabe Highlighted
Hajia Bashir Asabe, identified as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, was described by the EFCC as a key facilitator in the alleged transactions.
Investigators claimed she:
- Coordinated property purchases
- Processed documentation
- Assisted in disguising ownership structures
The EFCC alleged that her role was central to executing the transactions attributed to the former minister and his son.
Laws Allegedly Violated
The EFCC stated that the alleged actions contravene provisions of:
- Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended)
- Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022
Each count carries penalties ranging from substantial fines to long-term imprisonment upon conviction.
Prosecution Lists Witnesses
The prosecution disclosed that it intends to call multiple witnesses to substantiate its case, including:
- EFCC investigators
- Commercial bank officials
- Bureau de change operators
- Corporate and property company representatives
Documentary evidence, including bank statements and property records, is also expected to be tendered during trial.
Case Adjourned to January 2, 2026
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, strictly for the hearing of the defendants’ bail application, while the defendants remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Facility.
