The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has urged Nigerians to remain calm following a Federal High Court decision granting him and members of his family bail totalling ₦1.5 billion over alleged corruption charges.
Recall that the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday granted bail to Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe.
In a ruling delivered by Emeka Nwite, the trial judge approved bail in the sum of N1 billion for Malami and his son, while Malami’s wife was granted bail of N₦500 million.
Each defendant must present two sureties, each owning landed property in the Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa districts of the Federal Capital Territory, in the respective sums.
According to the court, in addition to submitting the property title documents for verification, the defendants must surrender their passports. Moreover, it held that the sureties must submit two recent passport photographs and also depose to an affidavit of means.
All three are defendants in the ongoing corruption-related case before the court.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami called for calm among members of the public.
He stated that he remained fully committed to the rule of law, stressing that he had consistently shown respect for due process and the authority of the courts.
Malami said he “will continue to comply strictly with all lawful directives and conditions as determined by the court.
“We urge members of the public to remain calm and patient, as more comprehensive details regarding this development will be communicated shortly”.