Dare Babalola
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted the former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his wife and son, Abdulaziz Malami, bail in the sum of N500million each in the ongoing fraud trial.
Justice Nwite warns lawyers and litigants not to approach him in this matter, stressing that any attempt to try his will would be dealt with.
He advised that the best parties can do is get good lawyers to present and defend their cases.
Recall that the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, pleaded not guilty to all sixteen counts of alleged financial crimes brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The plea was taken today at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where arguments also ensued over the defendants’ request for bail.
The Federal High Court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bail application today, a decision that will determine whether the defendants will face trial from custody or on bail.
Earlier, the court ruled that the defendants remain in Kuje Prison until January 7, when it will decide on their bail applications.
Justice Nwite issued the order last Friday after taking arguments for and against the bail applications filed by Malami and his son, who are on trial over a N9 billion money laundering charge brought against them by the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite announced that he had several other matters to rule upon as a vacation judge, hence, will not be able to deliver the ruling until the date.
