Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to bail in the sum of N200 million pending his trial over an N8.7 billion money laundering charge filed by the federal government.
Malami and his co-defendants were ordered to provide two sureties each in the same amount. The court further ruled that the sureties must own developed landed properties in Maitama or Asokoro, two high-value districts in Abuja.
Justice Abdulmalik directed that the property documents be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, while the sureties must also depose to affidavits of means.
The defendants were additionally ordered to deposit their international passports with the court and are prohibited from travelling outside the country without court approval. They are also required to submit two recent passport photographs.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, Malami and his son have been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife was ordered to be remanded in Suleja prison in Niger State.
The court also fixed March 16 for the commencement of trial in the corruption case.
The bail application for the defendants was argued by Joseph Daudu (SAN), while Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and did not oppose the request for bail.
Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite, sitting as a vacation judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had granted Malami bail in the sum of N500 million, but the case later commenced afresh before Justice Abdulmalik.
The EFCC has filed a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering against Malami, his son, and his wife.
