By Correspondent in Abuja.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday arrived at Court 8 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ahead of his arraignment over alleged money laundering.
Malami arrived at about 8:55 a.m. in the company of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Our correspondent reports that the former minister had earlier reported that the EFCC alongside his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, a firm allegedly 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 charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC accused the defendants of carrying out several 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 were said to have been committed between 2015 and 2025, a period that includes the eight years Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation 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 funds, acquire properties indirectly and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to the provisions 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 N1,014,848,500 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 N600,013,460.40 through the same company.
In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan granted by Sterling Bank to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were illicit.
Count four alleged that in November 2022, Malami, his son and Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.
In count five, the EFCC claimed 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 accused Malami and his son of taking control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account between November 2022 and October 2025, allegedly knowing the funds were illicit.
Count seven alleged that between November and December 2018, Malami and Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja, through Hamonia Hotels Ltd.
In count eight, the EFCC alleged that between September and December 2020, Malami, his son and Asabe concealed N850 million to acquire a property in Jabi District, Abuja, through Meethaq Hotels Ltd.
Count nine stated that in February 2018, Malami and Asabe acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.
In count 10, the pair were accused of concealing N210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.
Count 11 alleged that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to acquire No. 1241B, Asokoro District, Abuja.
In count 12, the EFCC alleged that between November 2015 and January 2016, Malami and Asabe concealed N120 million used to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
Count 13 alleged that in November 2022, Malami, his son and Asabe conspired to conceal funds used to acquire a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
In count 14, the defendants were alleged to have, between December 2016 and April 2022, conspired with others to acquire additional properties for Malami using proceeds of unlawful activity.
Count 15 alleged that between January and June 2023, Malami concealed N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi and Kano states.
In count 16, the EFCC alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi and Kano.
The commission said it intends to call several witnesses, including its operatives, bank officials, Bureau de Change operators and other 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.
Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how the EFCC received intelligence reports and petitions alleging large-scale corruption against the former minister, while Abdulrahman Musa Basheer is expected to give evidence on the alleged role of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd in acquiring properties for Malami.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
