Nigeria’s former justice minister granted bail

A Nigerian court has granted bail to the country’s former attorney general, Abubakar Malami, along with his wife and son, who are facing money laundering charges.

Malami, 58, was one of the most influential figures in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023.

He was charged in December with 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of office, and has been held in prison since then.

In court, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. He previously described his arrest as politically motivated.

The lawyer, who is married to Buhari‘s third child, Nana Hadiza, recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the opposition African Democratic Congress, which is viewed as the biggest rival to the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Malami is one of several ministers in the Buhari administration accused of corruption, including another influential figure, Hadi Sirika, who was in charge of the country’s aviation ministry.

In court on Wednesday, presiding judge Emeka Nwite stated that the charges against the defendants were bailable offences.

He said they could be released on bail set at 500 million naira (£260,000; $350,000) each.

They must also provide two guarantors who own property in designated parts of the capital, Abuja, and surrender their travel documents to the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the former minister used his office to divert government funds, which were then used to acquire properties in several Nigerian cities, including Abuja.

The case has been adjourned until 17 February 2025.