A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned ruling on the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, to January 7, 2026.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case on Friday, also ordered that the three defendants remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the court’s decision on their bail requests.

The trio is standing trial on a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering offences involving ₦8.71 billion. The charges border on conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the day was fixed for arguments on the bail applications. However, defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, explained that the prosecution had only just served them with counter-affidavits in court, prompting the defence to file further affidavits challenging the continued detention of the defendants.

Daudu argued that there was no justification for further delay, insisting that the defence was ready to proceed and that prolonged detention was unnecessary. He urged the court to grant bail, stressing that the offences were bailable and that the defendants were presumed innocent under the law.

The prosecution, however, requested time to study the defence’s newly filed affidavits and accompanying legal submissions. Iheanacho maintained that the EFCC had raised serious concerns, including alleged interference with witnesses, which warranted careful consideration by the court.

He further argued that the granting of administrative bail during investigation did not automatically entitle the defendants to bail after formal charges had been filed.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite noted the court’s heavy workload during the vacation period but assured the parties of a timely ruling. He subsequently adjourned the matter to January 7, 2026, for a decision on the bail applications.