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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the remand of a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abdulaziz Malami, his wife and son in prison custody.
While Malami and his son, Abubakar Abdulazeez Malami, were ordered to be taken to Kuje prison in Abuja, the judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, ordered that his wife, Asabe, be taken to Suleja prison in Niger State.
This followed their re-arraignment of the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on corruption charges.
Justice Abdulmalik issued the order yesterday shortly after the plea of the three defendants was taken in the N8.7 bn corruption charges.
Malami’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had drawn the attention of the court to the January 7 bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court and perfected by his clients.
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He urged the court to adopt the same bail conditions on the ground that the Federal High Court is one in Nigeria and in the interest of justice.
Although the counsel to EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), confirmed the grant and perfection of the bail conditions, Justice Abdulmalik held that the proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite had been legally terminated and that a fresh bail application must be filed.
The judge rejected attempt by Daudu to move for oral bail applications.
Consequently, Justice Abdulmalik fixed March 6 for argument on the bail applications and trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on January 7, granted Malami, his wife and son bail of ₦500 million each, with strict conditions including the submission of landed property documents and travelling papers.
