A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
Justice Emeka Nwite also ordered the remand of Malami’s son, Abdulaziz, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, pending the determination of their bail.
The three defendants were arraigned on Tuesday on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following their pleas, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, applied for a trial date and requested time to respond to the bail application filed by the defence, noting that it was served on the prosecution the previous day.
Defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, argued that although a written bail application had been filed, the court could also entertain an oral application, citing relevant judicial precedent.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that it was in the interest of justice and a fair hearing to allow the prosecution to respond to the written bail application before any decision could be taken.
He said granting bail without the prosecution’s response would amount to an ambush and breach the prosecution’s right to a fair hearing.
The judge consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and fixed January 2 for the hearing of their bail applications
RN
