By Charles Maduka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a 16-count money laundering charge against former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Bashir Asabe.
According to the charge, Malami is accused of laundering billions of naira through complex financial transactions involving corporate entities and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and other locations. The EFCC alleged that about 30 properties valued at N212.8 billion were acquired, mostly during Malami’s eight years in office between 2015 and 2023.
The commission alleged that Malami and his co-defendants used companies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, Meethaq Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Efab Properties Limited, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited to conceal the origin of funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The charges detailed multiple transactions involving large sums of money allegedly used as cash collateral for bank loans, paid into company accounts, or used directly for the purchase of luxury properties.
Among the allegations are claims that funds running into several billions of naira were used to acquire properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Jabi, Gwarimpa, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi. The EFCC further alleged that some of the transactions involved indirect control, concealment, and disguise of the origin of the funds through third parties and corporate structures.
The anti-graft agency said it may invoke the non-conviction asset forfeiture provisions of its establishment law to seize some of the properties. It added that a 14-day window would be provided for interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be forfeited to the federal government.
The EFCC is awaiting a trial date from the Federal High Court in Abuja, with no fewer than 10 witnesses already listed in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The prosecution team is led by senior advocates of Nigeria, Chief Jibrin Okutepa and Ekene Iheanacho, alongside 14 other lawyers. At the time of filing, Malami was reportedly still in EFCC custody, with his last public reaction being a call for the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to recuse himself from the case.
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