The Federal High Court in Abuja has set new bail conditions for former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz, in the alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession case, voiding a previous bail order granted in January.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the N200 million bail to Malami and his son on Friday, but ordered that they be remanded at Kuje Prison pending the perfection of the new conditions. The court also refused to recognize earlier bail granted in a separate money laundering case involving Malami, his son, and his wife, Hajia Asabe Bashir, directing that Asabe be remanded at Suleja Prison in Niger State.
The fresh bail conditions require Malami and his son to produce two sureties each, with ownership of landed property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts. Titles of the properties must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar, alongside valid international passports. The defendants are also to submit their passports, recent photographs, and affidavits of means to the court.
The court fixed March 4 for the commencement of trial and March 6 for arguments on the bail applications. Malami, Abdulaziz, and Asabe are facing allegations of conspiracy and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities, money laundering, terrorism financing, and possession of firearms without a license.
The Department of State Services (DSS) charged Malami and his son in a five-count terrorism case, including refusal to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers during his tenure as AGF, and unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm with live ammunition at their residence in Kebbi State. In the money laundering case, the defendants are accused of allegedly acquiring billions of naira through luxury properties across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations between 2015 and 2025.
Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all 16 counts of money laundering read to them during the proceedings. Malami’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the previous bail order granted by Justice Emeka Nwite in January should apply, citing the interest of justice, but Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the prior proceedings had been legally terminated and that fresh applications were required.
The case has drawn attention due to the overlapping allegations of terrorism, illegal firearms possession, and money laundering, highlighting the complexity of prosecuting high-profile former government officials in Nigeria.
