A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son and wife in a N8.7 billion money laundering case filed by the Federal Government.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N200 million each and ordered them to produce two sureties each in like sum.

The court ruled that the sureties must own developed landed properties in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja. The property documents are to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, while the sureties must also depose to affidavits of means.

Justice Abdulmalik further ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court and prohibited them from travelling outside the country without the court’s permission. They were also directed to submit two recent passport photographs.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Malami and his son be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife is to be held at Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.

At the time of filing this report, associates and supporters of the former minister were said to be making efforts to secure the bail conditions.

The court fixed March 16 for the commencement of trial.

Malami and the two other defendants are facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the hearing of the bail application, counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to grant bail, a request that was not opposed by the EFCC’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN).

Justice Abdulmalik noted that Malami had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N500 million by Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as a vacation judge before the case was reassigned and the proceedings began afresh before her court.