Justice Emeka Nwite issued the remand order after Malami and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A third defendant was also arraigned alongside them on charges the commission said were committed between 2015 and 2023, a period that coincided largely with Malami’s tenure as Nigeria’s chief law officer.

Following the arraignment, defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail, insisting that the case was politically motivated and that there was no risk of flight. However, the EFCC, through its counsel Ekele Iheneacho, SAN, opposed the immediate consideration of bail, citing the gravity of the allegations and requesting time to respond formally to the application.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite agreed with the prosecution, ordering that all three defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications. The judge noted that the decision was necessary to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process.

The EFCC alleges that the defendants violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. Investigators further claim that some of the disputed transactions were carried out while Malami was in public office, raising concerns about alleged abuse of office and financial impropriety.

Malami has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the investigation and charges are politically driven. Nonetheless, the case has continued to attract significant public attention due to his former position as Nigeria’s top legal officer and the high-profile nature of the accusations.

The court adjourned the matter to a later date for the hearing of the defendants’ bail applications