Nigeria’s immediate past Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has been formally arraigned on charges of money laundering and criminal conspiracy, following an investigation by the country’s anti-graft agency.
The Charges
• The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed multiple counts against Malami at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
• Also named as co-defendants are his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe.
• Prosecutors allege that the defendants concealed and laundered proceeds of unlawful activities between 2015 and 2025.
Allegations by Investigators
• The EFCC claims the accused used corporate bank accounts and high-value property purchases to disguise the source of funds.
• The transactions allegedly involved sums exceeding ₦8 billion (about $5.5 million).
• Investigators further allege that Hajia Bashir Asabe acted through, or was connected to, Malami’s real estate interests.
Properties Listed in Court Filings
According to the charge sheet, assets allegedly acquired with illicit funds include:
• A luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja
• Hotels in the Jabi district of the capital
• Land plots in Gwarimpa and Asokoro, both high-end residential areas
Court Proceedings
• All three defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in open court on Tuesday.
• The trial judge ordered that they be remanded in EFCC custody, pending a bail hearing fixed for January 2.
What Comes Next as Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, making him the country’s chief law officer throughout much of the previous administration.
The EFCC alleges that some of the offences were committed while he was still in office, a claim that adds to the public significance of the case.
The court is expected to rule on bail applications at the next hearing.
The EFCC says it will present documentary and financial records to support its case as the trial progresses.
The defendants are presumed innocent under Nigerian law until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Source: Africa Publicity
