The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned ruling on the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Asabe Bashir, to January 7, ordering that they remain in custody pending the decision.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution in the matter. The trio is standing trial on a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on the alleged concealment of illicit funds amounting to ₦1.014 billion and the unlawful acquisition of assets valued at several billions of naira. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that the EFCC had earlier granted the accused persons administrative bail, arguing that the anti-graft agency had no basis to oppose their application for judicial bail.
However, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application, maintaining that it lacked merit.
In adjourning the matter, Justice Nwite explained that he was sitting as a vacation judge and still had several pending rulings to deliver. He subsequently fixed January 7 for the ruling on the bail applications, directing that Abubakar Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir should remain at the Suleja Correctional Centre until the court’s determination.
