The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife and son, who are facing multiple charges of money laundering and abuse of office. The ruling was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who held that the offences contained in the charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were bailable under Nigerian law, despite the gravity of the allegations and the scale of the sums involved.
Justice Nwite admitted Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz Malami to bail in the sum of N500 million each, following their arraignment on 16 counts bordering on money laundering involving about N8.7 billion. The judge ruled that each defendant must produce two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must be persons of means who own landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja, areas considered among the most upscale in the Federal Capital Territory.
The court further directed that the title documents of the properties presented by the sureties must be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, while the sureties themselves are required to depose to affidavits of means. Justice Nwite also ordered that the defendants and their sureties submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry, describing the conditions as necessary to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.
In addition to the financial and administrative requirements, Justice Nwite imposed strict travel restrictions on Malami, ordering him to deposit his international passport and all other travel documents with the court. He ruled that the former justice minister must not travel outside Nigeria without the express permission of the court, noting that the restriction was essential given Malami’s former position and international exposure.
Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Malami be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he has been held since 30 December, while his wife and son were also to remain in custody until all bail requirements are fully met. The judge fixed February 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial in the substantive money laundering case.
Malami, 58, was one of the most powerful and influential figures in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, serving as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023. During his eight-year tenure, he played a central role in shaping government legal strategy, anti-corruption prosecutions, and high-profile constitutional matters, often acting as the government’s chief legal voice on sensitive national issues.
His influence was further reinforced by his close personal ties to the Buhari family, as he is married to Nana Hadiza, the former president’s third child. That relationship, combined with his control of the justice ministry, had long contributed to a perception among critics and political observers that Malami was politically untouchable during Buhari’s presidency.
In recent months, Malami defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party that has been described by some analysts as an emerging rival ahead of the 2027 general elections. Since his arrest, Malami has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has described the charges against him as politically motivated, arguing that the case is linked to shifting political alignments rather than criminal conduct.
The EFCC alleges that Malami used his position as attorney-general to divert public funds and launder the proceeds through the acquisition of high-value properties across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. According to the commission, the alleged offences form part of a broader pattern of abuse of office, involving complex financial transactions and asset acquisitions conducted while Malami was still in public office.
In a separate but related proceeding, the Federal High Court ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami. Justice Nwite granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), holding that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated: “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.” He further directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to enable any interested persons or entities to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
The EFCC confirmed the development in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, who said the properties are valued at approximately N213.2 billion. According to the commission, the assets are spread across the Federal Capital Territory as well as Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, and include a wide range of commercial and residential properties.
Among the listed assets are luxury hotels, multi-storey residential buildings, university structures, commercial plazas, filling stations, warehouses, factories, shops, printing facilities, and large parcels of land, many of them located in prime urban areas. The EFCC also detailed properties in Abuja’s Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Gwarimpa districts, alongside extensive holdings outside the capital.
Specific properties cited by the EFCC include high-end hotels in Maitama and Jabi, residential estates in Asokoro and Gwarimpa, commercial shops and warehouses in Wuse and major markets, and large-scale developments and land holdings in Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The commission said the scale, diversity, and geographic spread of the assets raised serious concerns about their sources.
The release of the property list triggered widespread public debate about corruption, political power, and unexplained wealth in Nigeria, with civil society groups and commentators questioning how public officials could amass such extensive holdings while in office. The case has since become one of the most closely watched corruption prosecutions in recent years.
Political analyst Idris Adamu told the BBC that the case had taken many Nigerians by surprise given Malami’s former status. “Seeing the video of Malami being ushered into the vehicle that would take him to Kuje prison last month felt surreal,” Adamu said. “This was a man that wielded so much power and influence under Buhari.”
Adamu added that the prosecution could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political culture, saying it signalled that “no-one is above the law, even if you are the former justice minister of a country.” Legal observers have similarly described the case as a major test of judicial independence and the credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Nwite issued a stern warning to lawyers and litigants against any attempt to improperly influence the court. “I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same,” he said.
The judge continued: “Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The best you can do for your clients is to get the best lawyers in this country. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned.” He added: “Any attempt to tarnish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned!”
Malami is one of several former ministers from the Buhari administration currently facing corruption-related allegations, including Hadi Sirika, the former aviation minister. Analysts say the cases reflect mounting pressure on Nigerian authorities to demonstrate accountability at the highest levels of government.
The court adjourned the forfeiture proceedings to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with its directives, while the criminal trial is scheduled to begin on February 17, 2026. Until then, Malami will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre unless and until all bail conditions are fully met, as the case continues to draw national attention.