Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday for arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misconduct.
Malami arrived at the court in company of his son and another defendant. The trio are scheduled to face a 16-count charge filed by the EFCC, bordering on alleged financial fraud, abuse of office, and unlawful contract approvals during his tenure as minister.
Court officials confirmed that proceedings began shortly after his arrival, with the defendants expected to enter their pleas before the trial judge. The case is being handled by EFCC prosecutors, who insist the charges are part of ongoing institutional efforts to strengthen accountability in public office.
As of press time, Malami has not publicly responded to the allegations, but sources close to his legal team say he intends to contest all charges.
The court is expected to rule on preliminary applications, including bail considerations, before adjourning for further hearing.
The case continues.
UPDATE:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion.
The defendants were brought before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment of funds, and laundering proceeds alleged to be derived from unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the charges, dated December 23, 2025, were ready to be read, after which all three defendants took their pleas. Counsel to the defendants, J.B. Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the arraignment.
Among the charges, the EFCC alleged that Malami and his co-defendants concealed and controlled funds totalling over ₦1 billion through corporate accounts, including those of Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited, between 2022 and 2025.
After the pleas were taken, Daudu made an oral application for bail, arguing that the offences were bailable. The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that a formal bail application supported by affidavit evidence was required.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, for hearing on the bail application and ordered the remand of the defendants at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
