Nigeria’s former justice minister granted bail

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

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

He has been in prison since December 30 after being charged last month with 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of power worth a total of 8.7 billion naira ($6 million; £4.5 million).

In court, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. He has previously said his arrest was 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, seen as the APC’s biggest rival in the 2027 general election.

Malami is one of several ministers in Buhari’s government to be accused of corruption, including another influential figure, Hadi Sirika, who heads the country’s aviation ministry.

In court on Wednesday, presiding judge Emeka Nwete said the charges against the defendant were bailable offences.

He said they could each be granted bail of 500 million naira (£260,000; $350,000).

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

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

The EFCC recently released a list of high-value properties allegedly linked to Malami, including hotels, residential buildings, schools, factories, land and printing presses.

The properties are spread across the capital, Abuja, as well as Kebbi and Kano states.

When the list was released, the size of his alleged fortune sparked a national debate about the wealth of Nigerian politicians.

Political analyst Idris Adamu told the BBC that the case came as a surprise to him, given that the minister had previously been considered invulnerable.

“It was surreal to see the video last month of Malami being taken into a vehicle that would be taken to Kuje prison,” Adamu said. “This is a man who has so much power and influence under Buhari.”

He added that the high-profile prosecution showed “no one is above the law, even if you are the former attorney general of a country”.

The case has been adjourned to February 17, 2025.