The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Malami was docked alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, before trial judge Justice Emeka Nwite, who is sitting as a vacation judge.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to a 16‑count money laundering charge preferred against them.
Following their plea of innocence, defence lawyer J. B. Daudu, SAN, made an oral application for their release on bail pending determination of the case.
The EFCC opposed the request, urging the court to reject the bail application and instead order accelerated hearing of the matter.
The commission alleged that the defendants laundered public funds totalling about ₦9 billion, in breach of Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), punishable under Section 15(3).
According to the charge sheet, Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over ₦1.01 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025.
They were further accused of using the same company to siphon about ₦600 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
In March 2021, the defendants allegedly retained ₦600 million as cash collateral for a ₦500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd from Sterling Bank, despite knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.
Property Acquisitions
The EFCC alleged that Malami used stolen funds to acquire choice properties in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other cities.
One count stated: “That you Abubakar Malami SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between July 2022 and June 2025 in Abuja did procure Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦1,014,848,500 in Sterling Bank Plc Account No. 0079182387 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed proceeds of unlawful activities.”
Another count alleged: “That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney‑General of the Federation, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between September 2020 and February 2021 did procure Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦600,013,460.40 in Sterling Bank Plc Account No. 0079182387.”
The EFCC also accused Malami, his son, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, of disguising the unlawful origin of ₦500 million paid to Efab Properties Ltd for a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
Other alleged acquisitions included properties in Garki, Jabi, Asokoro, and Gwarimpa, valued in hundreds of millions of naira.
The EFCC said the alleged offences contravened provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
It listed investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives among its proposed witnesses.
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