Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, his wife, and son, setting the amount at ₦500 million each. The court also imposed strict conditions, including the submission of property documents and travel papers.
According to Channels TV, the judge ruled that each defendant must present two sureties of similar value, with the sureties owning landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa.
Justice Nwite also instructed that all travel documents be deposited with the court. The properties offered as surety are to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar, and the sureties must swear an affidavit of means.
Malami himself must deposit his travel documents and is prohibited from leaving the country without the court’s approval. Additionally, both the defendants and their sureties are required to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
The court ordered that Malami remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fully met. The trial for the corruption charges has been scheduled to begin on February 17.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 16-count charge against Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife, accusing them of money laundering involving approximately ₦9 billion.
Previously, on December 18, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory High Court upheld Malami’s continued detention by the EFCC. He had been in custody since December 8, after reportedly failing to satisfy bail conditions set by the anti-graft agency.
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Justice Babangida Hassan, who had earlier dismissed Malami’s application for bail, stated that his detention was lawful. Quoting Section 35 of the Constitution, he explained that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) provided for such detention.
“Asking this court to grant this application is tantamount to inviting the court to sit as an appellate court over an application made by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, which the court has no power to do,” Justice Hassan said.