Immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son Abubakar Abdulaziz  and Hajia Bashir Asabe were yesterday remanded in Kuje Prison, Abuja.

They are to remain in the facility until Januray 2, 2006 on the order of a Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Hajia Asabe is said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former Justice minister

Justice Emeka Nwite, who handed out the order in a ruling on yesterday, said the trio should remain in prison until January 2 when their bail application would be heard and determined.

The Judge, in the ruling on an oral bail application made by defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu, (SAN), said it would serve the interest of justice and fair hearing to allow the prosecution to respond to the formal bail application earlier filed by the defendants

The judge said: “I have listened to the submissions of the learner counsel for both divide and also gone through the relevant laws. It is not in dispute that an application for bail has been filed by the defendants.

“It is also not in dispute that the bail application has been served on the prosecution. It is not in dispute that the application cannot be withdrawn by the defendants.”

Justice Nwite said although the court could exercise its power by granting bail, the exercise of such power would be possible after the prosecution has responded to the bail application filed by the defence.

He noted that it would amount to an ambush for the court to grant the bail application while the prosecution was yet to file a response to the bail application by the defence.

The Judge said: “This will breach the right to fair hearing against the prosecution. I am of the view that the interest of justice will be met by allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application filed.

Earlier in the proceedings, the three defendants were arraigned on a 16-count money laundering charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC is among others, claiming that Malami and his two co-defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which prosecuting lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) applied for a date for the commencement of trial.

Daudu told the court about his intention to apply for bail for the defendants.

Responding, Iheanacho said he was yet to respond to the formal bail application filed by the defendants and applied for an adjournment to enable him respond to bail application.

Iheanacho said: “In view of the non-guilty plea of the defendants, may we apply for a trial date for the defendants.

“I know we received an application for bail and we will be seeking your lordship indulgence for a date to respond. We got the application yesterday around 3pm. We will be asking for a date to respond.”

Daudu said even though a formal bail application had been filed by the defendant, he could equally make an orally application, citing a 1995 case involving Abiola Vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria.

After listening to the lawyers to both sides, Justice Nwite suspended proceedings briefly, but returned later to deliver the ruling.

In the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 the EFCC alleged, in count one, that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion (N1,014,848,500) in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count two states that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo allegedly concealed more than N600 million (N600, 013,460.40) through the same company.

In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the funds were illicit.

Count four alleges that in November 2022, Malami, his son and Mrs. Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.

In count five, the EFCC claimed that between November 2022 and September 2024, the trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s account in a first generation bank.

Count six states that between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son allegedly took control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account, knowing it was illicit.

Count seven alleges that in November–December 2018, Malami and Mrs. Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd).

In count eight, between September and December 2020, the duo and Mrs. Asabe allegedly concealed N850 million to buy a property in Jabi District, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd).

Count nine states that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.

In count 10, the pair allegedly concealed N210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.

Count 11 alleges that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to acquire No. 1241B Asokoro District, Abuja

In count 12, the EFCC stated that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed N120 million used to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Count 13 alleges that in November 2022, Malami, his son, and Mrs Asabe conspired to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

In count 14, between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Mrs. Asabe, and others allegedly conspired to acquire additional properties for Mr. Malami with proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count 15 states that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami allegedly concealed N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

In count 16, the EFCC alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

Source; The Nation News