A Nigerian court has granted bail to former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, along with his wife and son, who are facing money laundering charges. Mr. Malami, 58, served as a prominent minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023.
In December, Mr. Malami was charged with 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of office, leading to his detention since then. During his court appearance, he entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. He has previously stated that his arrest is politically motivated.
Mr. Malami, who is married to Nana Hadiza, a daughter of former President Buhari, recently transferred his political affiliation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition African Democratic Congress. The ADC is considered a significant rival to the APC in the context of the 2027 general elections. Other former ministers from the Buhari administration, including Hadi Sirika, who headed the aviation ministry, are also facing corruption allegations.
On Wednesday, presiding judge Emeka Nwite declared that the charges against the defendants were bailable offenses. Bail was set at 500 million naira (approximately £260,000 or $350,000) for each defendant. Conditions for release include providing two guarantors who own property in specified areas of the capital, Abuja, and surrendering their travel documents to the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that Mr. Malami utilized his official position to misappropriate government funds, which were subsequently used to acquire properties in various Nigerian cities, including Abuja. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for 17 February 2025.