ABUJA — Proceedings in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday after the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, revealed alleged attempts to compromise him.
Justice Nwite made the disclosure shortly after granting bail to Malami and his co-defendants in the sum of ₦1.5 billion. He warned sternly that individuals had approached him seeking a favourable outcome in the case, a move he said would not be tolerated.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is standing trial alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe. The trio is facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering involving an alleged ₦9 billion.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the former minister and his co-defendants allegedly laundered public funds through the acquisition of high-value properties across Abuja, Kebbi and Kano states.
The anti-graft agency told the court that between July 2022 and June 2025, the defendants allegedly used a company, Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, to conceal over ₦1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account. The EFCC further alleged that the same firm was used to siphon about ₦600 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
The prosecution also accused the defendants of retaining ₦600 million in March 2021 as cash collateral for a ₦500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Limited from Sterling Bank, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
EFCC maintained that the alleged acts violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
While granting bail, Justice Nwite issued a strong warning to parties and legal practitioners involved in the case, stressing that the integrity of the court would not be compromised.
“Before I conclude this proceeding, I want to admonish both parties and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before,” the judge said.
“All judges are not the same. Irrespective of the fact that I am familiarising with you, when I am doing any case, please, don’t approach me. The best you can do for your client is to get the best lawyer. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned.”
He further cautioned that any further attempts to test the court’s resolve would be firmly resisted. “Any attempt to try my leniency will be resisted and dealt with. I warn, I warn and I warn,” he added.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered each defendant to produce two sureties in the bail sum. The sureties must be owners of landed properties located in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory.
The court also directed that title documents of the properties be submitted for verification, while the defendants were ordered to surrender their international passports. In addition, the sureties are to submit two recent passport photographs and swear to affidavits of means.
Justice Nwite further ruled that the defendants must not travel outside the country without the court’s permission. Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, he ordered that they remain in custody.
The case was adjourned to February 17 for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC disclosed that its witnesses would include investigators, bank officials, real estate agents and Bureau de Change operators.
Malami was arrested by the EFCC on December 8, 2025, after honouring an invitation from the commission. He later accused the agency of arbitrarily revoking an earlier administrative bail granted to him.
The former minister claimed the revocation followed his attendance at a political rally in Kebbi State, describing the development as evidence that the charges against him were politically motivated.
Some of the charges allege that Malami and his co-defendants knowingly concealed and disguised the proceeds of unlawful activities through corporate accounts, property acquisitions and cash transactions while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation.
Malami Trial Takes Dramatic Turn as Judge Alleges Attempt to Influence Court
