Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, will remain in Kuje Prison until January 7 when the court is set to rule on their bail requests.
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after hearing arguments for and against the applications. Malami, his son, and a third defendant, Hajia Bashir Asabe of Ramadiya Property Limited, are facing trial over an alleged N9 billion money laundering case filed by the Federal Government.
The judge explained that he has other pending matters to attend to during the court vacation, so the ruling on the bail applications will be delivered on January 7.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, argued in favour of bail for the three defendants, while Emmanuel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and opposed the request.
All three defendants have entered a not-guilty plea to the charges brought against them.
Meanwhile, Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Friday clashed at the Federal High Court in Abuja over security arrangements during the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
According to Leadership, the confrontation reportedly stemmed from a disagreement between the two agencies over which of them should take charge of security during the court proceedings involving the former minister.
It was gathered that tensions escalated as officials from both sides laid claim to controlling access and security at the court premises, particularly at the entrance to the courtroom.