By Francis Wilfred
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has sternly warned lawyers and litigants involved in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to desist from approaching him for favours or undue influence.The warning was issued during proceedings in the ongoing trial of Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering offences amounting to ₦8.71 billion.
According to a press statement signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Justice Nwite cautioned that his familiarity with counsel should not be misconstrued as an avenue for compromise or special treatment.“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,” Justice Nwite said.
He stressed that legal representation, not personal appeals, remains the only legitimate way to defend clients before his court.“Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. 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 warned.Justice Nwite further cautioned against attempts to damage his integrity, vowing to resist and deal firmly with any such actions.“ Any attempt to tarnish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned,” he added.The EFCC is prosecuting Malami, his wife, and son on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the charges alleges that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦1.01 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank account, funds allegedly believed to be proceeds of illegal activities. Another count accuses Malami, his son, and his wife of conspiring in September 2024 to disguise the source of ₦1.04 billion allegedly channelled through a Union Bank account belonging to Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, Abuja.The EFCC further alleged that the defendants indirectly took control of over ₦1.36 billion between November 2022 and October 2025, knowing or reasonably expected to know that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Nwite granted the three defendants bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are required to be landed property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa within the court’s jurisdiction.The court also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the Deputy Chief Registrar and barred them from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval. The defendants are to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until all bail conditions are perfected. Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
