Malami in court
Nigeria’s immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, senior advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), one of his wives and son have been ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while their request for bail is being considered.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that Malami, his son, Abubakar, and wife, Bashiir Asabe, are standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count-charge of money laundering.
The judge gave the order on Tuesday after listening to arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu, (SAN) and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and the two others are facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing them of money laundering.
According to the EFCC, the defendants worked together over several years to hide and move large sums of money, using companies and accounts to disguise the source of the funds.
The charges also include allegedly keeping cash as collateral for loans and buying expensive properties in Abuja, Kano and other places.
The anti-graft agency further claims that some of the alleged offences took place while Malami was serving as Attorney-General, in violation of the Money Laundering laws of 2011 and 2022.
Malami had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Malami’s son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his fourth wife, Bashir Asabe, had also pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The EFCC had alleged that the defendants conspired to conceal, retain, and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billion naira.
The commission had claimed that the offences spanned several years, involving the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds and acquire high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and other locations.
Details of the Charge are that the EFCC accused Malami and his son of using Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account.
They were also accused of concealing over N600 million through the same company between September 2020 and February 2021.
Malami allegedly retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan granted to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd by Sterling Bank, despite knowing the funds were proceeds of crime ².
The case will proceed to trial, with the EFCC set to present witnesses, including commission staff members, bank representatives, and financial experts.
Malami’s lawyer has made an oral application for bail, which the EFCC has urged the court to reject.