KEY POINTS
- Abdulaziz Malami bail was set at ₦500 million each.
- Strict surety and travel conditions accompany the ruling.
- Trial on money laundering charges begins February 17.
Justice Emeka Nwite of Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Attorney General and Justice Minister Abdulaziz Malami bail of ₦500 million, extending the same terms to his wife and son as they await trial on corruption charges.
The ruling on Wednesday set stringent conditions, including the provision of two sureties each in like sum and the submission of verified property documents and travel papers. Despite approving bail, the court ordered Malami to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he meets all conditions.
Abdulaziz Malami bail conditions set
Under the court’s order, the sureties must own landed property in Abuja’s Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa districts. The court directed the Deputy Chief Registrar to vet the property documents, while the sureties must swear affidavits of means.
Furthermore, Justice Nwite further directed that all defendants submit their international travel documents to the court and refrain from leaving the country without judicial approval. Each defendant and surety is also required to provide two recent passport photographs to the court registry.
Malami, who served as attorney general from 2015 to 2023, must personally deposit his travel documents and seek court permission for any foreign travel. While the judge fixed February 17 for the commencement of trial proceedings.
Abdulaziz Malami bail case background
Prosecutors allege that Malami, his wife, and his son carried out financial transactions totaling about ₦9 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed a 16-count charge accusing the trio of money laundering, according to court filings.
The EFCC has been holding Malami since December 8 because he didn’t meet the agency’s bail requirements. A Federal Capital Territory High Court had already agreed that he should stay in jail. On December 18, 2025, Justice Babangida Hassan said that the remand decision was legal under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Justice Hassan turned down Malami’s earlier request for release because he argued that giving him relief would mean reconsidering a judgment made by a court of equal jurisdiction, which is not allowed by Nigerian law.
The former minister has however denied wrongdoing. The case further adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption prosecutions as Nigeria’s authorities seek to reinforce accountability among senior public officials.
