Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, a staff member of Ramadiya Property Limited, will today appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to commence bail proceedings in a N9 billion money laundering case.

The trio, currently in Kuje Correctional Centre on remand, were arraigned on 16-count charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the federal government. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Justice Emeka Nwite had on Tuesday fixed today for hearing after dismissing an oral bail application by the defendants’ counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN. Daudu argued that since money laundering is a bailable offence, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and should be granted bail. He insisted that a written application is only necessary in cases involving capital offences.

EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, opposed the oral application, citing Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Iheanacho explained that the law requires both prosecution and defence to present facts through affidavit evidence before the court can exercise discretion on bail.

Following the ruling, the court directed both parties to submit written bail applications for today’s proceedings.

The case continues to draw public attention, as the former AGF faces allegations of illicit financial dealings while in office.