The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), over allegations bordering on money laundering.
Malami was arraigned on Tuesday before a Federal High Court in Abuja, alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, on a 16-count charge.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty before the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.
Charges
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the federal government alleged that Malami and his son, between July 2022 and June 2025, used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦1.014 billion.
The prosecution further alleged that Malami caused the same company to conceal ₦600.01 million lodged in a Sterling Bank Plc account, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The alleged offences were said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In one of the counts, the EFCC accused Malami, his son, and Bashir Asabe—an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd—of disguising the origin of ₦500 million used in November 2022 to purchase a luxury duplex located at Amazon Street, Maitama District, Abuja, through Efab Properties Ltd.
The defendants were also accused of conspiring in September 2024 to launder ₦1.049 billion through an account belonging to Meethaq Hotels Ltd at Union Bank Plc, between November 2022 and September 2024.
Another count alleged that Malami and his son took control of ₦1.36 billion paid through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd between November 2022 and October 2025, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
The prosecution further alleged that Malami concealed ₦700 million in 2018 for the purchase of a property at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, as well as ₦850 million used between September and December 2020 to acquire a property at Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja.
The federal government also disclosed that it had identified 41 properties valued at ₦212 billion, allegedly linked to the former AGF.
The court adjourned the matter for further proceedings.
