Nigeria’s Former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe, and son Abdulazeez face mounting legal woes as Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued split decisions today on corruption, terrorism, and illegal firearms charges—sending the trio back to prison for now.
First, the EFCC re-arraigned Malami, his wife, and son on an N8.7 billion fraud case.
Despite arguments from their counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN, citing a prior N500 million bail each granted by Justice Emeka Nwite on January 7—which they claim to have perfected—the judge ruled those proceedings terminated as he was then a vacation judge. And the case file had to be transferred to a regular judge.
Justice Abdulmalik declined to listen to oral application for bail, insisting it must be done formally.
Malami and his son head to Kuje Prison; wife Asabe to Suleja Prison in Niger State. Bail hearing is set for March 6.
In a separate ruling on the same day, Justice Abdulmalik granted Malami and his son N200 million bail each on a five-count DSS charge—marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026—for alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession.
The allegations include Malami refusing to prosecute terror financiers during his tenure as Attorney General, plus warehousing a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live rounds, and 27 expended cartridges at their Kebbi home without authorization.
Terms of bail are two sureties each, owning property in Maitama or Asokoro, with titles, affidavits of means, and passports deposited with the court registry.
Malami and son remain in Kuje Prison until bail is perfected. Trial starts March 4.
