A fresh twist has emerged in the high-profile money laundering trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as a Federal High Court in Abuja voided his earlier bail and ordered his remand in the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The ruling followed the reassignment of the alleged N8.7bn money laundering case, prompting the court to declare that all previous proceedings — including bail granted by Emeka Nwite — had been extinguished in law.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 16-count charge against Malami, accusing him of unlawful acquisition of assets and financial crimes totaling over N8.7 billion.

At the resumed hearing, Malami, alongside his son Abdulaziz and wife Asabe, pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.

Defence counsel urged the court to retain the earlier bail conditions, arguing that the Federal High Court remains a single judicial entity despite case reassignment.

However, the prosecution maintained that the new court had full discretion to impose fresh bail terms.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that when a criminal case starts afresh due to reassignment, prior decisions — including bail approvals — automatically lapse.

She directed the defence to file a formal bail application and serve it on the prosecution before the next hearing.

The court adjourned the matter until March 6 for hearing of the fresh bail application and commencement of trial proceedings.

Pending that hearing, Malami and his son were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife was ordered to be held at the Suleja Correctional Centre.

The case marks a significant development in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and underscores the judiciary’s strict procedural stance in high-profile financial crime trials.