A fresh twist emerged in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Friday, as a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that his earlier bail no longer stands following the reassignment of his case.
The court held that since the matter had commenced afresh before it, all previous proceedings — including the bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite — were deemed terminated, thereby requiring a fresh bail application.
The EFCC had filed a 16-count charge against the former AGF, over alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets running into over N8.7 billion.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution, led by J.S. Okutepa, announced appearance and applied that the pleas of the defendants be taken on the amended 16-count charge.
Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Asabe, each pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial.
The defence, led by J.B. Daudu (SAN), however, asked the court to sustain the earlier bail conditions granted by Justice Nwite, arguing that the Federal High Court is one court and that the defendants had already been admitted to bail.
