A Federal High Court grants Malami ₦500m bail with strict conditions, including property verification and travel restrictions
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday granted former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abdulaziz Malami, bail of ₦500 million, with stringent conditions.
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The court also granted bail of ₦500 million each to Malami’s wife and son in the ongoing corruption case.
Justice Nwite ruled that each defendant must produce two sureties in like sum.
He said the sureties must own landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge further ordered the defendants to submit their travel documents to the court.
Property documents tendered by the sureties will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
Justice Nwite added that the sureties must also depose to affidavits of means.
Malami was specifically directed to deposit his international passport with the court.
He must not travel outside Nigeria without prior court approval.
The defendants and their sureties were also ordered to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Malami be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Nwite fixed February 17 for the commencement of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Malami, his wife, and son on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The alleged offences involve financial transactions estimated at about ₦9 billion.
Malami has remained in EFCC custody since December 8, 2025, after failing to meet administrative bail conditions.
On December 18, 2025, the FCT High Court upheld his continued detention.
Justice Babangida Hassan dismissed Malami’s bail application, ruling that his detention was lawful under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
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The judge held that granting bail would amount to sitting on appeal over a decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
