A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, and an associate be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre after being arraigned on a 16-count money-laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets charge, with their bail applications scheduled for a hearing on January 2nd, 2026.
The decision was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite, who also presided over the arraignment before adjourning the matter to allow the defence to pursue bail.
Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and a third defendant, Hajia Bashir Asabe, made their first appearance in court after being charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A video shared by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on social media showed the former AGF present in court as the charges were formally read to the accused.
Additionally, all three defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Following their plea, counsel for the trio informed the court of their intention to file bail applications. In response, the judge adjourned the case and ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody until the next hearing on bail.
According to the charge sheet and supporting court filings obtained by Sahara Reporters, the EFCC’s 16-count indictment accuses Malami and his co-defendants of a series of financial offences including money laundering, unlawful acquisition of assets, and conspiracy.
The anti-graft agency alleges that Malami and his son used various corporate entities and financial mechanisms to conceal the origin of substantial funds and acquire high-value properties across Nigeria while he held public office.
Therefore, among the counts: The defendants are accused of compelling Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to receive N1,014,848,500 in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, funds the EFCC says were illicit in origin.
Another count alleges they used N600,000,000 as collateral for a loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, allegedly knowing the money to be suspicious.
Additional counts accuse the trio of using intermediary companies and bureau de change operators to disguise payments for luxury properties in upscale districts such as Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Kano.
The assets named in the prosecution’s case include multi-hundred-million naira properties,.such as a N500 million luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, and a N700 million property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, among others.
The high-profile nature of the case, involving one of the most senior legal offices in Nigeria’s government — has attracted intense media scrutiny. Malami served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and he was widely regarded as one of the government’s most powerful figures during that period.
The remand order in Kuje follows legal developments earlier in the month, including disputes over previous bail orders and whether they were properly executed, as reported by several outlets.
According to the court’s ruling, the case will resume on January 2, 2026, when Justice Nwite is expected to hear and rule on the bail applications filed by Malami and his co-defendants.
Until then, the accused remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre, where they will be held pending the outcome of that hearing.
