By Nkechi Eze
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, issued a stern warning to lawyers and litigants involved in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, declaring that any attempt to seek favours from him would be firmly resisted.
The judge cautioned that his leniency should not be mistaken for weakness, stressing that he would not tolerate any conduct capable of undermining the integrity of the court or the administration of justice.
“I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me,” Justice Nwite said in open court.
He further emphasised that legal representation, not personal influence, remains the only legitimate tool available to parties in any judicial proceeding. “The best you can do for your clients is to get the best lawyers in this country. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned,” he stated, warning that any attempt to tarnish his name would be decisively dealt with.
Justice Nwite’s remarks came in the course of proceedings in the criminal trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering offences amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49.
The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the charges alleges that Malami and his son, between July 2022 and June 2025, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of over ₦1.01 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank Plc account, which they allegedly knew constituted proceeds of unlawful activities. Another count accuses Malami, his son and his wife of conspiring to disguise the unlawful origin of over ₦1.04 billion allegedly paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, over a two-year period.
The defendants are also accused of indirectly taking control of over ₦1.36 billion paid through the Union Bank Plc savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, funds the prosecution alleges were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Nwite granted bail to Malami, his wife and son in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties in like sum. He ordered that the sureties must be landed property owners in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa within the court’s jurisdiction, with all property documents to be verified and deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports, submit passport photographs, and obtain permission before travelling outside the country. Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, the defendants were ordered to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
