The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday re-arraigned Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF); his wife, Asabe Bashir; and their son, Abdulaziz, over alleged money laundering offences.
They were re-arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the case was reassigned to a new trial judge.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, told the court that the matter was coming up for the first time before Justice Abdulmalik and requested that the defendants’ pleas be taken.
“The matter is coming before your lordship this morning for the very first time. I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken,” he said.
Okutepa also sought the court’s permission to amend Counts 11 and 12, correcting the sums to N325 million instead of N325 billion for Count 11, and N120 million instead of N120 billion for Count 12.
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the application, and Justice Abdulmalik granted the request.
The defendants subsequently pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge filed against them by the anti-graft agency, which borders on money laundering.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that another judge of the court, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, withdrew from the matter on February 12 shortly after the criminal case was assigned to him.
The case was initially handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided as vacation judge during the Christmas and New Year break. After the vacation, the Chief Judge reassigned the matter to Justice Egwuatu, who later recused himself, leading to its reassignment to Justice Abdulmalik.
Malami, his wife, and son were first arraigned before Justice Nwite on December 30, 2025, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025.
While Malami and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre.
They were later granted bail on January 7 in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum. (NAN)