A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the bail previously granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in his money laundering trial and ordered that he be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The ruling was delivered on Friday following the reassignment of his case to a new judge.

Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir and their son Abdulaziz were re-arraigned on an amended 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to about ₦8.7 billion.

The case had earlier been before another judge, who granted bail to the defendants, but was reassigned, prompting the new hearing on Friday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that because the matter commenced afresh before her court following reassignment, all previous proceedings, including the bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite, were extinguished in law. She said a new bail application must therefore be filed.

The prosecution, led by J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court of the amended charge and applied that the defendants’ pleas be taken. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended counts.

The defence counsel, Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN), argued that the Federal High Court is one court and that the earlier bail conditions should subsist.

The prosecution acknowledged the prior bail but said the court retained discretion over conditions to ensure attendance at trial.

Justice Abdulmalik declined an oral bail application by the defence and directed that a formal bail application be filed and served on the prosecution.

She adjourned the matter to March 6, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and possible commencement of trial.

She ordered that Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the bail hearing.

The presiding judge said that where a case begins afresh due to reassignment, earlier proceedings are considered terminated, including bail previously granted.

The court’s decision highlights judicial procedure in criminal trials where reassignment can affect earlier rulings.

The remand of a former Attorney-General and his family in a high-profile anti-graft case underscores ongoing enforcement by the EFCC of alleged financial crimes involving senior public figures