By Peter Omopo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife and son in prison custody following their re-arraignment on an alleged N8.7 billion corruption charge.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that Malami and his son, Abubakar Abdulazeez Malami, be returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, while his wife, Asabe Malami, was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.
The decision came after the court took the pleas of the three defendants in a fresh charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The development represents a setback for the former Attorney-General, who had previously secured bail in the same court.
Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), reminded the court that Justice Emeka Nwite had on January 7 granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of N500 million each with stringent conditions, including the submission of landed property documents and travel passports. He urged the court to adopt the earlier bail conditions, arguing that the Federal High Court is one court nationwide and that the bail had already been perfected.
However, counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), acknowledged that bail had earlier been granted and perfected but maintained that the case before Justice Abdulmalik was distinct following the termination of the earlier proceedings.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the previous proceedings had been legally terminated and directed the defendants to file fresh bail applications. The court also rejected attempts by the defence to move oral bail applications.
The matter was adjourned to March 6 for the hearing of bail applications and continuation of trial. The N8.7 billion charge adds to the ongoing legal challenges facing the former chief law officer and his family as the anti-graft agency intensifies prosecution efforts.
