Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, his wife and son bail of N500 million each, with strict conditions including the submission of landed property documents and travelling papers.
The judge admitted the defendants to bail following their arraignment on a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Nwite ordered that each defendant must produce two sureties in like sum. The sureties must own landed properties within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja.
He directed that the title documents of the properties be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, while the sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means.
Malami was also ordered to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without the court’s permission.
The defendants and their sureties were also directed to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, Justice Nwite ordered that Malami be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court fixed 17 February for the commencement of the trial in the case.
The EFCC had filed a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering against Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife over alleged financial transactions amounting to about N9 billion.
Last 18 December, the court upheld Malami’s continued detention by the EFCC.
He has been in EFCC custody since 8 December after he reportedly failed to meet the bail conditions set by the commission.
Justice Babangida Hassan dismissed Malami’s application seeking bail from the custody of the anti-graft agency, ruling that his detention was lawful.
