The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, in an ongoing money laundering trial.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, trial judge Justice Emeka Nwite admitted Malami to bail in the sum of ₦1 billion, while his wife was granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million, bringing the total bail to ₦1.5 billion.
The court ordered that each defendant must provide two sureties in like sum. The sureties are required to be owners of landed property located in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Nwite further directed that the defendants submit the title documents of the properties for verification, surrender their international passports, and ensure that their sureties provide two recent passport photographs along with affidavits of means.
The court also warned that the defendants must not travel outside the country without prior approval and ordered that they remain in custody until all bail conditions are fully satisfied.
The case was adjourned until February 17 for the commencement of trial.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation from November 2015 to May 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
He was arraigned alongside his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, who was identified as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a company allegedly used to launder proceeds of unlawful activities through property transactions.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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