Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in the sum of ₦500 million over alleged money-laundering offences.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite ordered Malami to produce two sureties in like sum, each of whom must own landed property in Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja. The court directed that the property documents be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar and that the sureties depose to affidavits of means.

The judge further ordered Malami to deposit his travel documents with the court and barred him from leaving the country without prior permission. Malami and his sureties were also directed to submit two recent passport photographs each. Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the former minister was ordered to remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Nwite fixed February 17 for the commencement of trial. The same bail terms were extended to Malami’s son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 16-count charge against Malami, his son and Bashir, alleging conspiracy and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to billions of naira. The offences are said to have been committed between November 2015 and June 2025.

At the bail hearing, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that Malami’s international connections could enable him to flee the country and interfere with witnesses. The anti-graft agency also claimed the severity of the alleged offences made bail inappropriate.

Justice Nwite rejected the EFCC’s arguments, describing them as speculative and unsupported by evidence. He held that no witness was identified in the commission’s counter-affidavit as being at risk of interference and stressed that the Constitution presumes the defendants innocent until proven guilty.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been in EFCC custody since December 8 after failing to meet administrative bail conditions earlier granted by the commission.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly used several companies and bank accounts to launder funds and acquire luxury properties in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi and other locations. The EFCC alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over ₦1 billion, while other counts involve alleged payments ranging from ₦120 million to over ₦1.3 billion for high-value properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Garki and Jabi districts of Abuja.