A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate Hajia Asabe Bashir at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the determination of their bail applications.
The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday after the trio were arraigned on a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read. Their counsel made oral applications for bail, but the court declined to entertain them immediately, citing the need to afford the prosecution an opportunity to respond in writing to ensure fair hearing.
The charges border on conspiracy, concealment, retention, and indirect acquisition of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to billions of naira between 2015 and 2025, a timeframe that includes Malami's tenure as Nigeria's chief law officer.
Specific allegations include procuring companies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, and Meethaq Hotels Limited to disguise the origin of funds exceeding ₦1 billion in various bank transactions.
Other counts involve the retention of large cash sums as loan collateral and the purchase of luxury properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi valued at hundreds of millions of naira each.
The offences are said to contravene sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, with potential penalties including lengthy imprisonment and forfeiture of assets upon conviction.
The court adjourned proceedings for hearing of the formal bail applications, with the defendants to remain in custody in the interim.
The trial is set to continue as the EFCC lines up witnesses to substantiate the allegations. The defendants maintain their innocence.
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