Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fired a clear shot across the bows of lawyers and litigants, cautioning them against any attempt to influence his rulings or court decisions.
The stern warning came on Wednesday, immediately after Justice Nwite delivered judgment on a consolidated bail application filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his co-defendants.
Malami’s co-defendants include his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, all facing charges of allegedly laundering N8.7 billion.
“Before concluding, I want to admonish and warn counsel and litigants, that all judges are not the same.
“When I am handling any case, please don’t approach me.
“When you are doing your case, you can get the best lawyers in this country to do your case but don’t attempt to approach me for any help.
“I am not the type of judge. I know what God has done for me by giving me this job and I have vow to do it to the best of my ability.
“I have sworn before Almighty God and man that I am going to do my duty without fear or favour,” he declared.
Justice Nwite warned that any attempt to pervert justice will be met with firm resistance. He stressed that litigants dissatisfied with his decisions have a legal path through appeals to the Court of Appeal and ultimately, the Supreme Court.
Earlier in the day, the judge granted Malami, his wife, and son bail of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must own property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, with documents verified by the deputy registrar of Litigation.
The court also ordered the defendants to surrender all international passports and barred them from traveling abroad without court permission. Additionally, both the defendants and their sureties must provide two passport photographs each, and the sureties’ residences will be verified by the court.
Pending the fulfillment of bail conditions, the judge directed that the defendants remain in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres. The trial has been adjourned to February 17 for commencement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, named Malami, his wife, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, along with his son, as the first, second, and third defendants respectively.
The anti-graft agency alleged in 16 counts that the defendants engaged in suspicious transactions and tried to conceal the illegal origin of billions of naira via bank accounts and property purchases across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi between 2015 and 2025 — the span covering Malami’s tenure as AGF during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
According to the EFCC, Malami, his son, and Asabe conspired to disguise the source of funds, acquire property indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
