• ‎Former Attorney‑General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami in court .

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Attorney‑General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife Asabe Bashir remain in prison until January 7, when their bail applications will be decided.‎

‎Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after hearing arguments for and against bail in the ongoing trial.

The trio face a 16‑count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging concealment of illicit funds worth ₦1.014 billion and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at several billions of naira.‎‎

Malami and his co‑defendants pleaded not guilty.

Their counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the EFCC had previously admitted them to administrative bail and should not oppose judicial bail.

EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), countered, insisting the application lacked merit.‎‎

Justice Nwite explained that as a vacation judge with multiple rulings pending, he would deliver his decision on January 7.

In the meantime, Malami and his son remain at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir is held at Suleja Correctional Centre.‎‎

SOT ADEDAYO ADEDEJI (SAN), Member of Malami’s Legal Team

• Nigerian lawyers

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has disowned a news report currently circulating on social and conventional media which alleged that 34 lawyers failed an integrity test and were consequently dropped from consideration for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

In a statement signed by Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq.Secretary, National Judicial Council, the Council states categorically that the report is inaccurate and unauthorized, and therefore does not reflect the true position of events as they transpired at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

For the avoidance of doubt, the processes referenced in the report were conducted entirely at the FJSC level, and no decision or action has yet been taken by the National Judicial Council in respect of the candidates concerned.

The Council further clarifies that while a few candidates were indeed discontinued from the process at the FJSC level based on adverse findings arising from petitions received by the Commission, a number of others did not progress further simply because they failed to meet the required qualifying score to advance to the interview stage before the NJC.

Contrary to the impression conveyed by the media reports, the Council emphasizes that there is no stand-alone or newly introduced “integrity test” whose failure automatically disqualified candidates en masse, as widely suggested.

The judicial appointment process remains structured, merit-driven, and multi-layered, encompassing written examinations, performance benchmarks, background verification, petition review where applicable, and interviews conducted strictly in accordance with established guidelines.

The Council notes with concern that the publication of inaccurate and speculative details has the potential to mislead the public and unjustly impugn the reputation of candidates who participated in the selection process in good faith.

In view of the foregoing, the NJC has commenced internal investigations to ascertain the source of the unauthorized press statement and will take appropriate steps to protect the integrity and credibility of its processes.

The Council reassures Nigerians that it remains firmly committed to transparency, fairness, due process, and the highest standards of judicial integrity, and urges media practitioners to always seek clarification through authorized channels before publishing reports on sensitive institutional matters.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged sexual harassment, and several individuals.

Akpabio gave the directive touched by a sermon given by Father Donatus, Udoette, the Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish , Uyo, during the New Year Mass.

Akpabio said ,“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In his homily the Priest said that the greatest thing that man needs is peace and admonished parishioners to live in peace with one another.

“You have to let go of the past, no matter what it was. All of us carry some luggage of pain and hurt. You have to let go if you want to move on,” he said.

With the Thursday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begun.

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