The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, in correctional facilities pending the hearing of their bail applications.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Friday after the trio was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering offences.

Malami and Abdulaziz were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, while Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.

During proceedings, Jibrin Okutepa, EFCC counsel SAN, requested corrections to two counts in the charge, reducing Count 11 from N325 billion to N325 million and Count 12 from N120 billion to N120 million.

The defence did not oppose the correction, and the court granted it.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge. Okutepa then applied for a trial date. Defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, referred to a January 7 bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court and asked the court to adopt the same bail conditions.

Okutepa noted that the current case is before a different coram, giving the court discretion to grant bail under new terms.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the court was not bound by the earlier decision, stating that when a case begins afresh, prior proceedings are terminated. She also rejected an oral bail application, directing the defence to file a formal one.

Daudu raised concerns about access to his clients, noting that Malami and Abdulaziz were previously in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court instructed the prosecution to ensure the defence can meet the defendants.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to March 6 for the commencement of trial and hearing of bail applications.

The EFCC alleges that Malami, his wife, and son laundered funds to acquire property in Abuja and other states while Malami served as Minister of Justice.

The case was initially arraigned on December 30, 2025, before Justice Nwite, who remanded the defendants and granted N500 million bail each with two sureties.