Court Slams The Door: Malami And Son To Spend More Time Behind Bars In Kuje Prison

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, will continue to be held at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision on their bail applications scheduled for January 7.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive after listening to submissions from both parties. Malami, his son, and a third defendant, Hajia Bashir Asabe of Ramadiya Property Limited, are standing trial in a ₦9 billion money laundering case instituted by the Federal Government.

The judge said the ruling on the bail applications was deferred to January 7 due to other official commitments during the court’s vacation period.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Emmanuel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, opposed the application.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Meanwhile, there was tension at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as operatives of the EFCC and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) reportedly clashed over security arrangements for Malami’s trial.

According to reports, the dispute arose over which agency should be responsible for courtroom security, leading to a brief standoff as both sides attempted to assert control, particularly at the entrance to the courtroom.