Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC to arraign ex-Minister, son

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Tuesday arraign former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abubakar, on money laundering charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bashir Asabe, an employee of a firm linked to the former minister, Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, will also be arraigned.

They will appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Malami had been under investigation at the EFCC’s office since December 8.

The anti-graft agency, in the charge, accused the defendants of carrying out various suspicious transactions and attempting to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.

They allegedly committed the offences between 2015 and 2025, a period that includes the eight years Malami served as the AGF during the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

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• Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC to arraign ex-Minister, son

The commission alleged that Malami, his son, and Asabe conspired to disguise the origin of funds, acquire property indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

In count one, the EFCC alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion (N1,014,848,500) in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count two alleged that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo allegedly concealed more than N600 million (N600,013,460.40) through the same company.

In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million Sterling Bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Limited despite knowing the funds were illicit.

Count four alleged that in November 2022, Malami, his son, and Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.

In count five, the EFCC claimed that between November 2022 and September 2024, the trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Meethaq Hotels Limited’s Union Bank account.

Count six accused them that between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son allegedly took control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account, knowing it was illicit.

Count seven alleged that in November to December 2018, Malami and Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase 3, Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Limited).

In count eight, between September and December 2020, the duo and Asabe allegedly concealed N850 million to buy a property in Jabi District, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited).

Count nine stated that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired 3, Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja for N430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.

In count 10, the pair allegedly concealed N210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.

Count 11 alleged that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to acquire 1241B, Asokoro District, Abuja.

In count 12, the EFCC alleged that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed N120 million used to purchase 27, Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Count 13 alleged that in November 2022, the ex-AGF, his son, and Asabe conspired to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

In count 14, between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Asabe, and others allegedly “conspired to acquire additional properties” for Malami with proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count 15 alleged that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami allegedly concealed “N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.”

In count 16, the EFCC alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed “N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.”

The EFCC said it planned to call several witnesses, including commission staff, bank representatives, Bureau de Change operators, and other financial experts.

Key witnesses include Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, Sani Lukeman, Abdulrahman Musa Basheer, Jamilu Mohammed, and representatives of Zenith Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc.

Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how the EFCC received intelligence and petitions of alleged monumental corruption against the former minister.

Abdulrahman Musa Basheer is to provide evidence on Rahamaniyya Properties Limited’s role in allegedly purchasing property for Malami.

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