Ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami have been remanded at Kuje Correctional Facility over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, ordered their remand pending the hearing of their bail application. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the trio on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, on a 16-count charge involving conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering of funds, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.


Prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, said the charges were filed on December 23, 2025, while defence counsel J. B. Daudu, SAN, raised no objection to the arraignment. Counts include allegations of concealing over N1 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and laundering additional sums via Meethaq Hotels and other entities.

During proceedings, the defence requested bail orally, citing bailability under the law. The prosecution opposed, arguing that oral applications were insufficient without affidavit evidence, highlighting the seriousness of the alleged offences and public interest concerns.

Justice Nwite ruled that the prosecution must be given time to respond and remanded the defendants at Kuje, adjourning the matter to January 2, 2026, for the bail hearing.