By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, and a co-defendant at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after declining an oral application for bail moved by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, ruling that the interest of justice and fair hearing required the prosecution to first respond to the bail application already filed by the defence.
In his ruling, the judge said the court had carefully considered the submissions of learned counsel on both sides, as well as the relevant provisions of the law.
“It is not in dispute that the defendants have filed an application for bail. It is also not in dispute that the application has been duly served on the prosecution, and that such an application cannot be withdrawn by the defendants,” Justice Nwite held.
He noted that although the court has the discretion to grant bail, such discretion must be exercised judiciously and only after the prosecution has had the opportunity to respond.
According to the judge, granting bail without hearing from the prosecution would amount to an ambush and a violation of the prosecution’s right to fair hearing.
“I am of the view that the interest of justice will be best served by allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application already filed,” he said.
Justice Nwite consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until January 2 for the hearing of the bail applications.
Our correspondent recalls that that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, listed Mr Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively in the money-laundering case.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
