Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 arraign former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Naija News learnt that the former AGF will be docked in the morning before Justice Nwute of the Federal High Court.
This follows a 16-count charge already filed by the EFCC against Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, bordering on alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of properties valued at over N8.7 billion.
Details of the Charges
According to court filings marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the defendants were accused of:
-
Conspiring to conceal and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities
-
Retaining suspicious funds through bank accounts, corporate fronts and real estate transactions
-
Conduct allegedly spanning 2015 to 2025, largely in Abuja while Malami served as AGF
The prosecution, led by Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, alleged that:
-
N1.014 billion was concealed in a Sterling Bank account under Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited between July 2022 and June 2025
-
An additional N600.01 million was allegedly concealed in the same account between September 2020 and February 2021
-
N600 million was retained as collateral for a N500 million loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, suspected to be illicit funds
-
Between November 2022 and October 2025, N1.36 billion allegedly passed through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s Union Bank account as proceeds of unlawful activity
Alleged Property Purchases Listed
The EFCC also alleged that large sums were used to purchase high-value properties in Abuja and other cities, including:
-
₦500m for a duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama
-
₦700m for a property at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki
-
₦850m for a property at Plot 683, Jabi District
-
₦430m for a residence on Rhine Street, Maitama
-
₦210m for land in Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro
-
₦325m for a property on Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro
-
₦120m for a property in Efab Estate, Gwarimpa
The commission further alleged that ₦537m and ₦415m from unlawful activities were used to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023, allegedly through proxies and corporate fronts.
Role of Alleged Accomplice
The charge states that Hajia Bashir Asabe, said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, allegedly facilitated several real-estate transactions and helped disguise ownership on behalf of Malami.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the:
-
Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended)
and are punishable under relevant sections of the law.
The EFCC’s arraignment is expected to proceed Tuesday morning, pending unforeseen developments.