The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Abubakar Malami, SAN, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
It has been revealed that Malami will face Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, where he is expected to enter a plea along with his co-defendants.
The prosecution team is expected to be led by Chief J. S. Okutepa, SAN.
According to the charge sheet, the EFCC has filed a 16-count charge against Malami, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe.TV channel subscription
The charges include large-scale money laundering and the illegal acquisition of properties worth over N8.7 billion.
The charge, identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, accuses the defendants of conspiring to conceal, disguise, and retain proceeds from illegal activities.
The indictment claims they used multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions over nearly ten years to indirectly acquire the illicit funds.
The charge sheet states that the alleged offences took place between 2015 and 2025, primarily within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during Malami’s time as the country’s Attorney-General.
The EFCC claims that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide N1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account from July 2022 to June 2025. They are also accused of depositing an additional N600.01 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
The defendants face allegations of retaining N600 million in cash as collateral for a N500 million loan taken by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd from Sterling Bank Plc, with the EFCC asserting that they were aware the funds were proceeds of illegal activities.
In another charge, the commission claims that between November 2022 and October 2025, the defendants indirectly controlled N1.36 billion through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd, which the EFCC alleges was sourced from unlawful means.
Several of the charges relate to the alleged acquisition of high-end properties in Abuja and other locations, with the intention of concealing the origin and true ownership of the funds.
The properties in question include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased for N500 million; a property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, bought for N700 million; and another in Jabi District for N850 million. Additional acquisitions include real estate on Rhine Street, Maitama (N430 million); in Asokoro District (N210 million and N325 million); and at Efab Estate, Gwarimpa (N120 million).
The EFCC further alleges that Malami used unlawful proceeds totaling N952 million to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023. These acquisitions were allegedly made through proxies and corporate entities to obscure ownership.
Hajia Bashir Asabe, described as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, is said to have played a central role in facilitating these property deals and disguising ownership on Malami’s behalf.
The commission claims the alleged actions violate the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC has listed a range of witnesses, including investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives, to support its case.
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