A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday February 27, 2026 voided the bail previously granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and ordered that he be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending fresh bail proceedings, multiple reports say.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that because the matter was reassigned and commenced afresh before her court, all earlier proceedings — including the bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite — are legally terminated. The judge held that where a case starts anew the court has the authority to decide afresh on bail matters, meaning Malami must now file a new application for bail before being released again.

Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz were re-arraigned on a 16-count amended charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets totalling over ₦8.7 billion. All three pleaded not guilty to the amended charges when the matter resumed on Friday.

During proceedings the court heard arguments on whether to adopt the earlier bail conditions previously perfected by the defence. The defence counsel J.B. Daudu (SAN) asked the court to uphold the earlier bail terms, saying the Federal High Court is a single entity. However the prosecution noted that the case had effectively started afresh and that bail should be reconsidered.

Justice Abdulmalik then dismissed the defence’s oral request for bail and directed that a formal bail application be filed and served on the prosecution, with a short adjourned date to be fixed for hearing. She adjourned the matter until March 6, 2026 for the hearing of the bail application and other proceedings in the trial.

The judge ordered that Malami and his son remain remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife is remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State, until the bail motion is heard.

The development marks a significant shift in the high-profile case, after the matter was reassigned to a new judge who ruled that earlier judicial actions no longer apply. Legal observers say the fresh bail application will be closely watched as the trial progresses.