Nigeria ex-justice minister Malami freed on bail in $6m graft case
The 58-year-old, who served as President Muhammadu Buhari’s powerful justice minister from 2015 to 2023, is facing 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of office involving approximately 8.7 billion naira ($6 million; £4.5 million).
Nigeria’s former attorney general, Abubakar Malami, has been granted bail by a court in Abuja after more than a week in custody on money-laundering charges.
The 58-year-old, who served as President Muhammadu Buhari’s powerful justice minister from 2015 to 2023, is facing 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of office involving approximately 8.7 billion naira ($6 million; £4.5 million). He has denied any wrongdoing and insists the case is politically driven.
Bail was also granted to his wife and son, who are standing trial alongside him.
Presiding judge Emeka Nwite ruled on Wednesday that the offences were bailable and ordered the three to each post a bond of 500m naira. They must produce two sureties apiece who own property in specified parts of the capital, Abuja, and surrender their travel documents to the court.
Malami, who is married to Buhari’s daughter Nana Hadiza, recently quit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), seen as one of the APC’s main challengers ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accuses the former minister of using his position to divert public funds to acquire a vast portfolio of assets, including hotels, homes, schools, factories, land and a printing press. The properties are said to be located in Abuja as well as in Kebbi and Kano states.
Publication of the EFCC’s list of alleged assets has sparked fresh debate over the wealth accumulated by Nigeria’s political elite.
Malami is among several senior Buhari-era officials accused of corruption, including former aviation minister Hadi Sirika.
Political commentator Idris Adamu told the BBC that seeing Malami taken to Abuja’s Kuje prison in December had stunned many Nigerians.
“This was someone who once wielded immense power,” he said. “The fact that he is now facing trial sends a strong signal that even a former justice minister is not beyond the reach of the law.”
The case has been adjourned until 17 February 2025.
