Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, have pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Peak Newspaper reports.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges, accusing the trio of conspiring to conceal and retain proceeds of unlawful activities between 2015 and 2025. The indictment alleges that they laundered over N8.7 billion through multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value property acquisitions.
According to the EFCC, Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide N1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account between 2022 and 2025, alongside deposits of N600 million in 2020–2021. Properties allegedly purchased with illicit funds include luxury real estate in Maitama, Garki, Jabi, Asokoro, and Gwarimpa, valued at billions of naira.
The commission further claims Malami acquired properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi worth N952 million through proxies to disguise ownership. Hajia Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, is accused of facilitating these transactions.
The EFCC says the actions contravene Nigeria’s Money Laundering Acts of 2011 and 2022.
