A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abdulaziz Malami, his wife, and his son. Each of them was granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the ruling on Wednesday and attached strict conditions to the bail. The court ordered each defendant to provide two sureties who must also post ₦500 million each. The sureties must own landed property in Abuja areas such as Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa.
The judge also directed that Malami and the other defendants submit their international passports and other travel documents to the court. They are not allowed to travel outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
In addition, documents for the landed properties provided by the sureties will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. The sureties must also swear to an affidavit showing they have the financial means. Both the defendants and their sureties were asked to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
Despite being granted bail, Malami was ordered to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he fully meets all the bail conditions.
The court fixed February 17 for the start of the trial in the corruption case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier filed a 16-count charge against Malami, his wife, and his son, accusing them of money laundering involving about ₦9 billion.
Earlier, on December 18, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ruled that Malami should remain in EFCC custody. He had been detained by the anti-graft agency since December 8 after failing to meet the bail conditions earlier set by the EFCC.
Justice Babangida Hassan, who handled the earlier case, dismissed Malami’s request for bail and ruled that his detention was lawful. The judge said the law allows detention under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 35 of the Constitution, based on a valid court remand order.
