Court sends ex-AGF Malami, son to Kuje Prison
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after the trio were arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the plea, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho, applied for a trial date and informed the court that the prosecution had only received the defendants’ bail application the previous day.
“We received the bail application around 3pm yesterday and we are seeking a date to respond,” Iheanacho told the court.
READ ALSO: FG arrests Kuje prison break masterminds, top Al-Qaeda leaders
Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu, argued that although a formal bail application had been filed, he could still make an oral application for bail, citing the 1995 case of Abiola v. Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the interest of justice and fair hearing required that the prosecution be given time to respond to the written bail application before any decision could be made.
He noted that granting bail without hearing the prosecution’s response would amount to an ambush and breach the prosecution’s right to fair hearing.
Consequently, the judge ordered that Malami, his son, and their associate be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications, which was adjourned to January 2.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
