Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and two others, set at ₦500 million each with two sureties.
The court ruled that all defendants must provide two sureties each, who must own landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The title documents of the properties must also be submitted for verification.
The defendants are required to surrender their travel passports. The sureties must provide two recent passport photographs and depose to an affidavit of means.
Justice Nwite warned that the defendants must not travel outside the country without court permission and should remain in custody until the bail conditions are perfected.
The case has been adjourned to February 17 for trial.
The judge also cautioned lawyers and litigants not to approach him directly regarding the matter, stressing that any attempt to influence his decision would be met with severe consequences. He advised that the proper course for the parties is to engage competent legal counsel to present and defend their cases.
Recall that the former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, pleaded not guilty to all sixteen counts of alleged financial crimes brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).