A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir and their son Abdulaziz Malami in an ongoing money laundering case.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that each of the defendants post bail of ₦200 million with two sureties in like sum.
As part of the conditions, one of the sureties must deposit title deeds of properties located in either Maitama or Asokoro, both high-end districts of Abuja.
The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, Malami, his wife and their son are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until March 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Money laundering allegations
The case stems from investigations into alleged financial crimes involving the former chief law officer of the federation and members of his family.
Malami, alongside his wife and son, is accused of laundering about ₦8.7 billion through a network of companies and property acquisitions.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired to conceal illicit funds through corporate entities, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited.
Prosecutors further allege that the funds were used to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and other parts of the country, including Kano State and Kebbi State.
The case was recently reassigned to Justice Abdulmalik after earlier judges handling the matter recused themselves or transferred the file.
Terrorism financing, firearms charges
In a separate but related case, Malami and his son are facing a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
The charges include allegations that while serving as Attorney General, Malami failed to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office in November 2022.
They are also accused of unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm and ammunition including 16 live cartridges and 27 expended cartridges allegedly recovered from their residence in Birnin Kebbi in December 2025.
The prosecution was recently taken over by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, from the State Security Service on March 4, 2026.
That case was earlier adjourned until March 10, 2026, to allow the Attorney General’s office review the case files.
Asset forfeiture and political reactions
Malami’s legal troubles have also extended to asset recovery proceedings.
A Federal High Court had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to him, reportedly valued at about ₦213 billion.
The cases have also generated political reactions following Malami’s recent defection to the African Democratic Congress from the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Some of his supporters claim the legal actions are politically motivated and linked to his exit from the ruling party.
The trial in the money laundering case is expected to begin on March 16, 2026, when the court will start hearing evidence from both the prosecution and the defence.
