By Douglas Maha, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail of 500 million naira each to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, his wife and his son, after they were arraigned on corruption-related charges.
Judge Emeka Nwite ruled that the three defendants must produce two sureties apiece who own verified landed properties in upscale areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa. Nwite ordered that documents relating to the properties be verified by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar and directed the sureties to submit affidavits of means confirming their financial capacity.
As part of the bail conditions, Malami and his co-defendants must deposit their international passports with the court and are barred from travelling outside Nigeria without prior judicial approval. The case was adjourned to a later date for further hearing.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s top legal adviser and justice minister from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has denied any wrongdoing, his lawyer said in court.
Malami played a central role in Buhari’s administration, overseeing key legal policies, prosecutions and anti-corruption initiatives. His tenure was marked by several high-profile asset recovery efforts and legal actions against politically exposed persons. However, he was also dogged by controversies, with critics questioning some executive decisions and contracts handled by the justice ministry.
Since President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stepped up investigations into former government officials as part of a renewed push for accountability and a campaign to combat graft. Tinubu has pledged to strengthen institutions and improve transparency in Africa’s largest economy.
Bail conditions in major corruption trials in Nigeria typically involve large financial bonds, property-owning sureties and restrictions on international travel to ensure defendants remain available for trial. Such cases have often faced lengthy delays in the courts, prompting criticism from civil society groups and international observers who say slow judicial processes undermine the fight against corruption.
The charges against Malami and his family centre on alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public resources during his time as minister. Further details of the specific counts were not immediately available. The trial is expected to attract significant public attention given Malami’s former position and influence in government.
