Alleged money laundering: Court grants Malami, wife, son N200m bail each

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of N200 million each to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz Malami over an alleged money laundering case.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that each defendant provide two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must deposit title documents for property located in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts.

The court also directed the defendants to surrender their international passports and remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until they meet the bail conditions.

The defendants were re-arraigned on a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which alleged they conspired to launder over N8.1 billion between 2015 and 2025 through bank accounts and companies linked to the Malami family.

The anti-graft agency told the court that the funds were allegedly routed through firms including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited and used to acquire properties in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states.

At the hearing, the EFCC presented its first witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.

Ajoma said the bank provided documents to the EFCC in 2025 regarding loan facilities granted to Rayham Hotel Limited.

He told the court that the loan was backed by cash collateral from Metropolitan Autotech.

However, under cross-examination, the witness said he was not the relationship manager for the accounts and could not explain the purpose of the transactions.

Ajoma also stated that Malami’s name did not appear on the loan application documents and that none of the transactions reviewed originated from government accounts or violated regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The case was adjourned for continuation of trial.