Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Nigeria’s former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, along with his son and an associate, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on money laundering and related charges, marking a significant development in the country’s high‑profile anti‑corruption drive. The scheduled arraignment is expected to take place on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, under a 16‑count charge sheet prepared by the anti‑graft agency.
The EFCC’s indictment accuses Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee associated with Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, of engaging in extensive financial transactions designed to conceal and launder the source of funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity. The charges include allegations of using bank accounts and corporate entities to disguise the origin of large sums of money, retaining funds as collateral for loans and acquiring high‑value properties across multiple states.
According to the prosecutor’s filings, the alleged offences span a decade from 2015 to 2025, covering both Malami’s tenure as Nigeria’s chief law officer under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the years directly following his time in office. Among the counts is an accusation that the defendants conspired to hide more than N1 billion in a Sterling Bank account through Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, despite knowing the funds were of unlawful origin. Other counts reportedly relate to the acquisition of luxury properties in prestigious districts of Abuja, as well as in Kano and Kebbi states.
The arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite is scheduled to be the first formal court appearance for Malami and his co‑defendants, who will be required to enter pleas in response to the heavy indictment. Should the charges be proved, they could carry severe penalties under Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act.
Malami has been in custody as part of the investigation since mid‑December, when the EFCC ramped up its probe into his financial affairs and asset holdings. Prior to the arraignment, the commission traced at least 41 high‑value properties linked to Malami across multiple states, with a combined estimated value in the hundreds of billions of naira — findings that have been widely reported in national media.
The former AGF’s legal team has previously challenged aspects of the investigation. In mid‑December, Malami publicly accused the EFCC chairman of bias and insisted that the probe had been politicised, particularly in the context of his recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). His lawyers argued that his constitutional rights were being undermined and called for the EFCC chairman to recuse himself from the case.
In a separate development, the High Court in Abuja granted Malami interim bail on 23 December 2025 under strict conditions, which included surrendering his international passport and providing acceptable sureties. However, legal observers note that his detention and the terms of bail have continued to attract public and political commentary.
The looming court proceedings have drawn intense national attention, sparking debate about accountability in public office and the consistency of Nigeria’s anti‑corruption efforts. Civil society groups and some political actors have weighed in, with some advocating for rigorous prosecution of corruption while others decry what they describe as selective targeting of political figures.
As the arraignment date approaches, the judiciary and the EFCC are expected to proceed with due legal protocols, which include the presentation of evidence and testimony from investigators, banking officials, and forensic analysts. Observers say the outcome could set a precedent for how high‑ranking former public officers are held to account under Nigeria’s anti‑money laundering laws and anti‑corruption framework.
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