Abubakar Malami, the former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, his son, and one other individual have pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering.
Malami, his son, Abubakar Malami and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, a firm linked to the former minister were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
THE 16-COUNT CHARGE
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 16-count charge against the trio.
The charges include large-scale money laundering and the illegal acquisition of properties worth over N8.7 billion.
According to the charge, the EFCC accused the defendants of engaging in multiple suspicious financial transactions and attempting to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states.
The alleged offences span 2015 to 2025, covering the eight-year period Malami served as AGF under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Malami, his son and Asabe conspired to disguise the origin of illicit funds, acquire properties indirectly and retain proceeds they allegedly knew were derived from unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
In count one, the EFCC alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over ₦1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
Count two alleged that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo concealed over ₦600 million through the same company.
In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained ₦600 million as cash collateral for a ₦500 million loan granted to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd by Sterling Bank, despite allegedly knowing the funds were illicit.
Count four accused Malami, his son and Asabe of disguising ₦500 million in November 2022 to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.
In count five, the EFCC alleged that between November 2022 and September 2024, the defendants conspired to conceal over ₦1.04 billion paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s Union Bank account.
Count six alleged that between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son took control of about ₦1.36 billion from the same account, knowing it was illicit.
Count seven accused Malami and Asabe of concealing ₦700 million between November and December 2018 to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja, through Hamonia Hotels Ltd.
In count eight, the EFCC alleged that between September and December 2020, the defendants concealed ₦850 million to acquire a property in Jabi District, Abuja, via Meethaq Hotels Ltd.
Count nine stated that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for ₦430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.
In count 10, the pair was accused of concealing ₦210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.
Count 11 alleged that between March and June 2021, they concealed ₦325 million to acquire No. 1241B Asokoro District, Abuja.
In count 12, the EFCC alleged that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed ₦120 million to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
Count 13 accused Malami, his son and Asabe of conspiring in November 2022 to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
In count 14, the EFCC alleged that between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Asabe and others conspired to acquire additional properties with proceeds of unlawful activity.
Count 15 alleged that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami concealed ₦537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi and Kano.
In count 16, the commission alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed ₦415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi and Kano.
The EFCC said it intends to call several witnesses, including its officials, bank representatives, Bureau de Change operators and financial experts.
Key witnesses listed include Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, Sani Lukeman, Abdulrahman Musa Basheer, Jamilu Mohammed, as well as representatives of Zenith Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc.
According to the EFCC, some witnesses will testify on how intelligence reports and petitions alleging large-scale corruption against the former minister were received, while others are expected to give evidence on the role of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd in allegedly acquiring properties on Malami’s behalf.