By SUNTV Global Channel | December 30, 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, over alleged large-scale money laundering and illicit property acquisitions running into tens of billions of naira.
The trio appeared on Tuesday before the Federal High Court, Abuja, where they were docked on 16 counts bordering on money laundering, illegal acquisition of assets, and concealment of funds. All three pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Justice Emeka Nwite, setting the stage for a full trial.
According to charge sheets filed by the EFCC and obtained by SUNTV Global Channel, prosecutors allege that Malami abused his office while in power to funnel suspicious funds through front companies, bank transactions, and high-end property deals, involving entities such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd.
One of the key counts alleges that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to conceal ₦1.014 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank Plc account between July 2022 and June 2025, funds the defendants allegedly “ought reasonably to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activities. Another count claims that ₦600 million was retained as cash collateral to secure a ₦500 million loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowledge of the funds’ suspicious origin.
The EFCC further accuses the defendants of disguising payments for multiple luxury properties across Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Garki, Gwarimpa, Kano, Birnin Kebbi, and Nassarawa GRA, including:
- A ₦500m luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama
- A ₦700m property on Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki
- ₦850m Meethaq Hotels in Jabi District
- A ₦430m property on Rhine Street, Maitama
- Properties valued at ₦537m in Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi
Court documents also allege that between 2015 and 2025, the defendants conspired to conceal and retain billions of naira through Bureau De Change operators, corporate accounts, and indirect acquisitions of land and commercial facilities, including hotels, plazas, estates, and large parcels of land.
As part of its proof of evidence, the EFCC listed several witnesses, including investigators, bankers, and BDC operators. EFCC officials Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how intelligence reports and petitions allegedly exposed what the agency described as “monumental corruption” linked to the former minister.
One witness reportedly told investigators that his company account was used for suspicious multimillion-naira transactions without his full knowledge.
Despite the extensive allegations, Malami and his co-defendants maintain their innocence. Their defence team, led by senior advocates, is expected to challenge both the admissibility of evidence and the legality of the EFCC’s investigation.
Malami served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, a tenure frequently dogged by controversy and allegations of abuse of office—claims he has consistently denied.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to follow the case closely and bring updates as proceedings unfold — one story at a time.
