| The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N1.5 billion bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, his wife and son, in an ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial.Justice Emeka Nwite passed the ruling following arguments from both the prosecution and defence teams in the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).The ruling comes days after Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, were arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and remanded in custody, with the court initially reserving its decision on their bail applications.What the court is saying Ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite held that the key consideration at this stage is whether the defendants would make themselves available for trial and refrain from interfering with witnesses.The judge observed that the EFCC’s opposition, particularly on the likelihood of the defendants jumping bail or influencing witnesses, was “not concrete enough.” “I am minded to grant the applicants bail in the interest of justice,” Justice Nwite ruled.The court subsequently granted bail to the three defendants in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum, bringing the total bail package to N1.5 billion. |
