The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and a co-defendant, Hajia Bashir Asabe, in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged money laundering offences.
Trial Justice Emeka Nwike directed that the defendants be remanded in custody until January 2, 2026, when their formal bail applications would be heard and determined.
The court issued the order after rejecting an oral bail request made by the defence team, led by Mr J. B. Daudu, SAN. Justice Nwike held that the application was premature, stressing the need to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to respond by filing a counter-affidavit in opposition to bail.
Malami, his son, and Asabe are standing trial on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering involving public funds allegedly totalling about N9 billion. The offences were said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly laundered funds through a company, Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, to conceal their unlawful origin. The anti-graft agency alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, the defendants concealed over N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account belonging to the firm.
They were also accused of using the same company to siphon about N600 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
Further allegations revealed that in March 2021, the defendants allegedly retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Limited from Sterling Bank, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime.
In addition, the EFCC accused the defendants of using laundered funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other cities. One of the counts alleged that N500 million was paid for the purchase of a luxury duplex located at Amazon Street, Maitama District, Abuja, through Efab Properties Limited, with the unlawful origin of the funds allegedly disguised.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The case was adjourned to January 2, 2026, for hearing of the bail applications, while the defendants remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
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