The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded a Former Attorney General Abubakar Malami SAN, his son, Abdulaziz Malami and one Bashir Asabe in Kuje and Suleja correctional center following their re-arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on corruption charges.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order shortly after the defendants took their plea in the N8. 7 billion naira corruption charges.
Malami’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN had drawn the attention of the Court to the January 7 bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite of the same Court and perfected by his clients, urging the Court to adopt the same bail conditions on the ground that the Federal High Court is one in Nigeria and in the interest of justice.
Although the counsel for the EFCC Jibrin Okutepa SAN confirmed the grant and perfection of the bail conditions, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite had been legally terminated and that fresh bail applications must be filed.
The trial Judge however rejected the attempt by Daudu SAN to move oral bail applications, noting that the application should be filed.
Justice Abdulmalik then fixed March 6 for argument on the bail applications and trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on January 7 granted Malami, his wife and son bail of ₦500 million each, with strict conditions including the submission of landed property documents and travelling papers.
Also in the same court the Trial Judge granted Malami and Son Two Hundred Million Naira bail and two sureties in like sum in the five count charge bordering on Alleged abetting terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms, filed against them by the state security service, which they pleaded not guilty to on the last adjourned date.
Malami and his son were, however, ordered to be remanded at Kuje prison pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the Court.
Among others, the judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties, each one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.
Justice Abdulmalik while ruling on the bail application filed by Joseph Daudu, SAN for the duo noted that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court along with valid international passports.
The trial court noted that the sureties are to depose to affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs with the court.
The defendants were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.
Justice Abdumalik then fixed March 4 for commencement of trial.
The State Security Services (SSS) had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge on issues bothering on terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.
In the charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami is also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.
Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State without lawful authority.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
