Alleged money laundering: Ex-AGF Malami appears in court for arraignment

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Tuesday arrived at Court 8 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for his arraignment over alleged money laundering.

Malami arrived at about 8:55 a.m., accompanied by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the EFCC was set to arraign the former minister alongside his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, a firm linked to Malami, on a 16-count charge.

The defendants are to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite. However, as of the time of filing this report, proceedings had yet to commence.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly carried out multiple suspicious financial transactions and attempted to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi.

The alleged offences were said to have been committed between 2015 and 2025, a period that covers the eight years Malami served as AGF under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The anti-graft agency accused Malami, his son and Asabe of conspiring to disguise the source of funds, indirectly acquire properties and retain monies they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to 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 N1,014,848,500 in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were illicit.

Count two alleged that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo concealed N600,013,460.40 through the same company.

In count three, the commission claimed that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million Sterling Bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, allegedly knowing the funds were unlawful.

Count four accused Malami, his son and Asabe of disguising N500 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 trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 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 N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account, knowing it was illicit.

In count seven, the EFCC said that between November and December 2018, Malami and Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja, under Hamonia Hotels Ltd.

Count eight alleged that between September and December 2020, the trio concealed N850 million to acquire a property in Jabi District, Abuja, through Meethaq Hotels Ltd.

In count nine, the commission alleged that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, for N430 million from unlawful sources.

Count 10 accused the pair of concealing N210 million in February 2018 to buy a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.

In count 11, the EFCC alleged that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to purchase No. 1241B Asokoro District, Abuja.

Count 12 stated that between November 2015 and January 2016, Malami and his son concealed N120 million to buy No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

In count 13, the EFCC alleged that in November 2022, the trio concealed funds used to acquire a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Count 14 alleged that between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Asabe and others conspired to acquire additional properties with proceeds of unlawful activity.

In count 15, the EFCC alleged that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami concealed N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi and Kano.

Count 16 alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed N415 million to acquire several properties in the same states.

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 commission, Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how intelligence and petitions alleging large-scale corruption against the former minister were received, while Abdulrahman Musa Basheer will give evidence on the alleged role of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd in purchasing properties for Malami.

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