The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of Malami’s co-defendants—his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe.

Justice Nwite issued the order after listening to submissions from the defence counsel, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).

Malami and his co-defendants are standing trial on a 16-count charge of money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly conspired at different times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.

The EFCC further alleged that the offences, which span several years, involved the use of corporate entities and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of large sums of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.

The commission also claimed that some of the alleged offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants will remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.