Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, warned lawyers and litigants against any attempt to approach him to influence court decisions or judgments.
Justice Nwite gave the warning shortly after delivering the ruling on a consolidated bail application filed by Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation, and his co-defendants.
The ex-AGF’s co-defendants include his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who are facing alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charges.
“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 do not approach me.
“When you are doing your case, you can hire the best lawyers in this country, but do not 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 vowed to do it to the best of my ability.
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“I have sworn before Almighty God and man that I will perform my duty without fear or favour,” he said.
The judge warned lawyers and litigants to desist from any attempt to pervert justice, stating, “Any attempt to try this will be vehemently resisted.”
Justice Nwite added that his judgments and decisions could instead be tested by approaching the Court of Appeal up to the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the judge admitted Malami, his wife, and son to N500 million bail each with two sureties each in the same sum, who must be property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa within the Federal Capital Territory.
He ordered that the documents of the landed property must be verified by the Deputy Registrar, Litigation, of the court.
He also declared that the defendants must deposit all their international passports with the Deputy Registrar, Litigation, and must not travel outside the country without the court’s permission.
Justice Nwite further ordered that the defendants and their sureties deposit two passport photographs each with the court registrar and that the residents of the sureties must be verified by the registrar.
The judge ordered that the defendants remain in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres pending the perfection of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter until February 17 for commencement of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, named the ex-minister, Asabe, his wife, and an employee of a firm linked to the former minister, Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, and his son as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants respectively.
In the 16-count charge, the commission accused the defendants of carrying out suspicious transactions and attempting to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.
The offences allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2025, a period that includes the eight years Malami served as AGF during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The commission alleged that Malami, his son, and Asabe conspired to disguise the origin 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) Act.
NAN
