Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son and an associate, has pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
The defendants were arraigned on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against Malami; his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami; and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe. The charges relate to alleged large-scale money laundering and the unlawful acquisition of properties valued at over ₦8.7 billion.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring to conceal, disguise, and retain proceeds of unlawful activities. According to the commission, the alleged scheme involved the use of multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions over a period of nearly ten years.
The EFCC stated that the alleged offences occurred between 2015 and 2025, largely within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during Malami’s tenure as Attorney General of the Federation.
Investigators alleged that Malami and his son used a company, Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, to launder ₦1.014 billion through a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025. They are also accused of depositing an additional ₦600.01 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
Properties allegedly acquired with illicit funds include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased for ₦500 million; a property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, bought for ₦700 million; and another in Jabi District valued at ₦850 million. Other acquisitions reportedly include properties on Rhine Street, Maitama (₦430 million); in Asokoro District (₦210 million and ₦325 million); and at Efab Estate, Gwarimpa (₦120 million).
The EFCC further alleged that Malami used unlawful proceeds amounting to ₦952 million to acquire additional properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023. These acquisitions were allegedly executed through proxies and corporate entities to conceal beneficial ownership.
Hajia Bashir Asabe, described as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, was said to have played a key role in facilitating the property transactions and disguising ownership on Malami’s behalf.
The commission maintained that the alleged acts contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC has listed several witnesses, including investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives, to testify in support of its case.
