Abuja — The legal fate of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, remains delicately poised as the Federal High Court on Monday adjourned ruling on his bail application to Wednesday, January 7.
With the court’s order, Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, a staff member of Ramadiya Property Limited, will continue to be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of their respective bail requests.
The adjournment followed submissions by counsel on both sides, with defence lawyers urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and the presumption of innocence. Prosecutors, however, opposed the applications, asking the court to exercise caution in view of the nature of the allegations and the ongoing investigations.
Inside the courtroom, proceedings were marked by intense legal arguments as lawyers sparred over whether the defendants posed any flight risk or could interfere with witnesses if released. The prosecution maintained that the seriousness of the case warranted continued custody, while the defence countered that detention should not become a form of punishment before trial.
Justice, the court stressed, must be balanced — protecting the rights of the accused while safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process. It was on this note that the trial judge fixed January 7 for a definitive ruling on the bail applications.
For Malami, who once served as Nigeria’s chief law officer, the adjournment adds another chapter to a case that has attracted national attention. Legal analysts say the optics are significant: a former Attorney-General now standing before the same system he once represented.
Outside the court, interest groups and observers continued to debate the implications of the case, with some describing it as a test of the judiciary’s resolve to treat all citizens equally before the law, regardless of status or past office.
Until the gavel falls on January 7, the former justice minister, his son, and their co-defendant remain behind bars at Kuje — waiting, watching, and counting the days to a ruling that could determine whether they regain temporary freedom or remain in custody as the case unfolds.
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