Court on Monday remanded former justice minister Abubakar Malami, his son, and one of his wives in custody at a high-security prison amid allegations of laundering billions in illicit funds, as anti-corruption prosecutors pushed forward with a major graft probe.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued the order to detain Malami, a senior advocate, along with his son Abubakar Malami and wife Bashir Asabe at Kuje Correctional Centre until their bail applications are heard and decided.
The trio faces a 16-count indictment from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accusing them of conspiring to obscure and retain proceeds from illegal activities through companies, bank accounts, and property acquisitions in cities including Abuja and Kano.
Prosecutors allege the offences, which violate anti-money laundering laws, occurred over several years, with some tied to Malami’s tenure as attorney-general from 2015 to 2023 under ex-president Muhammadu Buhari.
Defence lawyer Joseph Daudu argued against the remand, but the court sided with prosecutor Ekele Iheneacho, who emphasized the gravity of the charges involving cash used as loan collateral and disguised high-value assets.
