Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja presided by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz Malami, in an ongoing trial linked to alleged financial crimes.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Abdulmalik admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The court gave stringent conditions for the bail. One of the sureties, the judge ruled, must provide title documents of landed property located in either Maitama or Asokoro two of the most exclusive districts in Abuja.
In addition, the defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court pending the conclusion of the trial.
Justice Abdulmalik further directed that until all bail conditions are fully met, the former minister and his family members remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The case was subsequently adjourned to March 16 for the commencement of trial proceedings.
Recall Malami, who served as the nation’s AGF during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations bordering on money laundering and related financial offences.
