By Peter Omopo
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an oral bail application made on behalf of former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that a substantive bail application had already been formally filed on behalf of the defendants. He explained that entertaining an oral bail request at this stage would amount to an ambush on the prosecution, which had not yet had the opportunity to respond to the formal application.
The judge consequently refused the oral bail request and adjourned the matter until January 2 for arguments on the substantive bail application.
Pending further proceedings, the court ordered that the defendants remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
