A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the earlier bail granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, no longer stands following the reassignment of his case, thereby requiring a fresh bail application.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution requested that the court fix a date for trial.
However, the defence urged the court to allow the defendants to continue under the previous bail conditions.
The court rejected the request and directed the defence to file a formal bail application.
Counsel to the defence informed the court of difficulties in fixing a trial date, noting that Malami and his son are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In response, the court stressed that it is the responsibility of the prosecution to ensure the defendants’ availability for trial.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to March 6 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
It also ordered that Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife Asabe are facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets amounting to over N8.7 billion.
