Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, have 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 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the EFCC, the charges—filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025—border on large-scale money laundering, conspiracy, and the alleged illegal acquisition of properties valued at over ₦8.7 billion.
The commission accused the defendants of conspiring to conceal, disguise, and retain proceeds of unlawful activities through the use of multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions spanning nearly a decade.
Court documents revealed that the alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025, largely within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, during Malami’s tenure as Attorney General of the Federation.
The EFCC alleged that Malami and his son utilised Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal ₦1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, in addition to another ₦600.01 million allegedly deposited between September 2020 and February 2021.
Among the properties listed in the charge are a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, reportedly purchased for ₦500 million; a property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, acquired for ₦700 million; and another in Jabi District, valued at ₦850 million. Other properties include real estate on Rhine Street, Maitama (₦430 million); two properties in Asokoro District valued at ₦210 million and ₦325 million respectively; and a property at Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, worth ₦120 million.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Malami used unlawful proceeds totaling ₦952 million to acquire multiple properties across Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023, allegedly using proxies and corporate entities to conceal ownership.
Hajia Bashir Asabe, described as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, was accused of playing a key role in facilitating the property transactions and disguising the true ownership of the assets on Malami’s behalf.
The EFCC stated that the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
To support its case, the commission listed several witnesses, including EFCC investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives.
The case was adjourned for further proceedings.
