Abubakar Malami and his son remain in Kuje Correctional Center facing money laundering charges involving roughly ₦9 billion in public funds.
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, are spending Christmas behind bars at Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja after a Federal High Court ordered their remand on December 30, 2025.
The duo faces a 16-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging they laundered public funds totaling approximately ₦9 billion ($12 million). Authorities say the charges cover a decade of financial misconduct, spanning from 2015 to 2025, involving the concealment of illicit funds through corporate accounts and property acquisitions. Officials allege that the Malamis disguised transactions worth over ₦8 billion through multiple financial and real estate channels.
Also remanded in connection with the case is Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, who is accused of assisting in the alleged schemes. The court has adjourned proceedings until January 2, 2026, to hear bail applications for all defendants.
The EFCC’s case highlights growing scrutiny of public officials in Nigeria amid concerns over corruption and financial mismanagement. Investigators allege that the former Attorney General leveraged his office to channel substantial funds into personal accounts and related business interests.
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Legal experts say the case could set a precedent in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against high-level financial crime. “Prosecutions of senior officials send a strong signal that no one is above the law,” said a Lagos-based attorney familiar with EFCC proceedings.
The remand comes amid heightened public attention, with social media and national news outlets closely following developments. Supporters of Malami have called for due process, emphasizing his long service in public office, while critics argue that swift prosecution is necessary to deter corruption at the top echelons of government.
Kuje Correctional Center, located in Nigeria’s capital territory, is one of the country’s largest detention facilities and is often used for high-profile financial crime cases. Security sources say Malami and his son are under standard custody, and their welfare is being monitored in line with national correctional regulations.
As the New Year approaches, the court is expected to review bail applications and determine the next steps in the high-profile case, which continues to draw both national and international attention given the scale of the alleged financial misconduct.