The legal battle involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, took a fresh turn as the court postponed a decision on whether he should be released pending trial, deepening uncertainty around the high-profile case.
Malami is standing trial alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, following their arraignment on multiple criminal allegations linked to financial impropriety.
All three defendants firmly rejected the accusations, entering not-guilty pleas and signaling their readiness to challenge the prosecution’s case in full.
However, efforts by the defence to secure immediate freedom for the family stalled after the trial judge declined an oral request for bail, insisting that due process required the prosecution to formally respond.
“The court must balance urgency with fairness,” the presiding judge observed, noting that written submissions from both sides were necessary to ensure justice was not rushed.
Consequently, the judge directed that Malami, his wife, and son be held in custody pending a formal ruling on their bail application.
The Federal High Court in Abuja fixed January 7 for its decision, while ordering that the defendants remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail issue is conclusively determined.
Legal analysts say the outcome of the bail ruling could shape the tone of the trial, given Malami’s prominence and the gravity of the charges against his family.