The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Malami

  • Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami

    Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami

    • Ex-AGF gets 14 days to prove they are lawfully acquired •Former minister, others get bail

    The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and members of his family.

    The properties, valued at about N213.23 billion, were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which invoked the Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, who made the order, however, granted Malami, his sons Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman and any other interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

    Failure to establish that the properties were lawfully acquired within the stipulated period may result in their final forfeiture to the Federal Government.

    The order followed an ex-parte motion moved by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), who argued that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    In granting the application, Justice Nwite ruled: “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

    The judge further directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national daily, inviting any person or entity with an interest in the properties to approach the court within 14 days to contest the forfeiture.

    The case was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the court’s directives.

    EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said the affected properties are located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi states.

    They include luxury residences, hotels, schools, shopping complexes, oil and gas facilities, farmlands, and commercial buildings.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Court grants ex-AGF Malami, son, wife N1.5bn bail

    Among the notable properties listed in the schedule are:

    •            A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, purchased in December 2022 for N500 million, with its value reportedly enhanced to about N5.95 billion.

    •            A two-winged multi-storey building at Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited, acquired in December 2018 for N7 billion.

    •            A five-storey hotel complex in Jabi District, now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms, reportedly valued at N8.4 billion after completion.

    •            A hotel property on Rhine Street, Maitama, purchased in 2018 for N430 million, now allegedly worth N12.95 billion after rehabilitation.

    •            Multiple properties in the Asokoro District, including terraces and plots along Yakubu Gowon Crescent.

    •            Commercial shops at Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, warehouse shops at Wuse Market, and residential buildings in Gwarimpa, Apo Legislative Quarters, and BUA Estate, Abuja.

    •            High-value properties in Nasarawa GRA, Kano, including residential and commercial buildings.

    •            Over 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, purchased in 2020 for N100 million.

    •            Many residential estates, schools, bungalows, and land assets acquired between 2023 and 2024 in Birnin Kebbi, allegedly through proxies and corporate entities.

    Court grants ex-minister, others N1.5bn bail

    The interim forfeiture order came in the course of Malami’s ongoing trial over alleged money laundering involving about N8.7 billion.

    Justice Nwite granted bail to Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.

    The bail is in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties each.

    The three defendants are being prosecuted on a 16-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, filed by the EFCC.

    The commission alleged that Malami and his two co-defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds estimated at N8.7 billion.

    It said they acquired properties indirectly, and retained sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

    Justice Nwite had, on January 2, taken arguments on the bail applications by the three defendants and adjourned till January 7 for ruling.

    Ruling yesterday, Justice Nwite said: “I have critically evaluated the evidence adduced by both parties. I am not unmindful of the serious nature of the offence and the attendant economic consequences to our country, Nigeria.

    “But, like I earlier emphasised in the course of this ruling, the paramount concern of a judge, in granting or refusing bail pending trial, remains the applicant making himself available to stand his trial and/or not interfering with witnesses, especially when the offence is not a capital offence.

    “There is no gainsaying that the reasons adduced by the complainant/respondent on this point are not concrete enough, but tilt towards the realm of speculation.

    “In view of the foregoing, I am minded to grant the defendants/applicants bail in the interest of justice. Consequently, bail is granted to the first, second and third defendants in the following terms:

    •            Bail is granted to each of the defendants in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in the like sum, who shall each depose to affidavits of means.

    •            The two sureties shall be landed property owners in either Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa within this jurisdiction, and the documents must be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court and deposited with him.

    •            The defendants shall deposit all their international passports with the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation) of the court and shall not travel outside the country without the permission of this court.

    •            The defendants and sureties shall deposit two passport photographs each, and the sureties’ residences shall be verified,” the judge said.

    Justice Nwite, however, cautioned parties in the case against attempting to reach out to him for any favour in the course of the proceedings.

    Although the judge did not state whether any of the parties had attempted to contact him, he stressed that nobody could influence the decision of his court in any way.

    Justice Nwite said: “Before concluding, I want to admonish and warn counsel and litigants that all judges are not the same.

    “When I am handling any case, please don’t approach me. When you are doing your case, you can get the best lawyers in this country to handle it, but don’t attempt to approach me for any help.

    “I am not that type of judge. I know what God has done for me by giving me this job, and I have vowed to do it to the best of my ability.

    “I have sworn before Almighty God and man that I am going to do my duty without fear or favour,” he said.

    Justice Nwite warned lawyers and litigants to desist from coming to him with the aim of perverting justice, adding:

    “Any attempt to try this will be vehemently resisted.”

    The judge advised that rather than seeking to compromise the court, parties should concentrate their efforts on prosecuting their cases and, if dissatisfied, challenge the court’s decisions by approaching the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

    Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until February 17 for the commencement of trial.

  • Court okays interim forfeiture of N213.2b 57 assets by Malami, sons

    Court okays interim forfeiture of N213.2b 57 assets by Malami, sons

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered interim forfeiture of 57 assets by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN) and two sons. 

    The sons are Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru—Rahman Malami, 

    The assets are valued  at N213,234,120,000. 

    It has, however, given Malami and the sons or any other claimant a 14-day leave to show proof that the assets were legally acquired. 

    Failure to present legitimate claims within 14 days may lead to the permanent loss of the assets to the Federal Government. 

    The Court’s order was based on the invocation of Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture 

     Clause in the EFCC Establishment Act. 

    The EFCC had applied to the Federal High Court to seize the suspicious properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Birnin-Kebbi in Kebbi State.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC,Mr. Dele Oyewale said the properties were linked to Malami and two others.

    The statement reads: “A Federal High Court  sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation  and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and two of his sons,  Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru—Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government.

    “Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

    “The multi-billion naira landed properties , valued at N213,234,120,000 are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States.

    “In granting the order, Justice Nwite ruled that,  “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities”

    “The judge also directed the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily “inviting any person(s) or body (ies) who may have interest in the properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of the publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties, should not be made.”

    He, therefore, adjourned the matter until January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance.

    Read Also: Aggrieved ex-police officers seek Tinubu’s intervention over court-order reinstatement

    Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently facing an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charge before Justice Nwite.

    The interim  forfeited properties include: Rayhaan University Buildings,  Agro allied factory buildings, machines, hotels, pharmacy, supermarket,  primary and secondary schools,  oil and gas filling stations, shops and other buildings. 

     Some of them are:

    ●Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 Within Cadastral Zone, A06 Maitama; File No: AN enhancement 11352, which was purchased in December 2022 at N500, 000, 000.00 (value after enhancement at N5,950,000,000).

    ●Two Winged Large Storey Building Situate at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11,Garki, Cadastral Zone, A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, which was purchased Dec. 2018 at N7,000,000,000.

    ●Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Comprising of a five storey Building (Now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi with 53 rooms/suites), which was purchased in Sept. 2020 at carcass level at N850,000,000 with additional N300,000,000 to take possession (value after completion N8,400,000,000).

    ●Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, Comprising Terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000.

    ●Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama With 15 ROOMS), which was purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation is N12,950,000,000).

    ●Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent) Asokoro District, which was purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000.

    ●Shop No. C82 Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Plot 739 Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse Il, FCT, Abuja, which was purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000.

    ●No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, which was purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000.

    ●Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa, GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019 with no specific amount stated.

    ●A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundering, Warehouse Tanks Adjacent           

    ●100 Hectares Of Land Along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road, which was purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000.

    ●Four Bedroom Bungalow Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, which was purchased in 2023 at N101,000, 000.

    ●Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja, which was purchased in July 2023 at N158,000,000.

    ●No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 at N136,000,000.

    ●No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 59™ Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, purchased in January 2016 at N120,000,000.

     ●Four Bedroom/ 2 Rooms Boys Quarters At No. 10B, Doka Crescent Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in Jan. 2018 at N40, 000, 000.00.

    Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 at N85,000,000.

    ●A Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters At No. 12 Yalinga Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse Il, Abuja, purchased in Oct. 2018 at N150,000,000.

    ●Two Warehouse Shops B40 And B46, Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 at N50,000,000.

    ●Twin Houses At Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, was purchased between February and May 2017 at N250,000,000.

    ●Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage namely.

    ●Others are nine units of three bedroom, bungalow, three units of two bedroom, bungalow, and 5.4 hectares of land, which were purchased between February 2023 and September 2023 at N187,000,000, among other assets listed in the schedule.

  • BREAKING: Court grants ex-AGF Malami, son, wife N1.5bn bail

    BREAKING: Court grants ex-AGF Malami, son, wife N1.5bn bail

    The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Wednesday secured bail in the sum of N1 billion from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    In a ruling delivered by trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, the court also granted bail to Malami’s wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, who is a co-defendant in the case, in the sum of N500 million, bringing the total bail granted to N1.5 billion.

    Justice Nwite ordered that each of the defendants must produce two sureties in like sum. 

    The sureties are required to be owners of landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The court further directed that the defendants submit title documents of the properties for verification and surrender their international passports. The sureties were also ordered to provide two recent passport photographs and depose to affidavits of means.

    Read Also: Alleged N8.7b fraud: Court rules January 7 on Malami, others’ bail

    In addition, the court warned that the defendants must not travel outside the country without prior approval and ordered that they remain in custody until all bail conditions are fully met.

    The matter was adjourned until February 17 for trial.

    Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing a 16-count charge of money laundering.

    He was arraigned alongside his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, who was identified as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a company allegedly used to launder proceeds of unlawful activities through property transactions.

    Details shortly…

  • Malami cuts a sorry figure

    Malami cuts a sorry figure

    Former attorney general Abubakar Malami spent weeks in detention with the EFCC and the New Year and many more days in jail pending the determination of his bail application by a court. He was not alone. His wife and one of his sons were later remanded with him. In the previous Muhammadu Buhari administration, Mr Malami was one of the most powerful ministers, indeed a cabal all by himself. He excused tyranny, waffled over court processes, rode roughshod over governmental negotiations, and refused to speak up when the rights of murdered Nigerians were abridged. He will predictably be bitter about his ordeal, and might even believe that his circumstances were inspired by the government of the day.

    Read Also: Troops recover large cache of  ammunition in Maiduguri

    Never in his wildest imagination would he have expected to be incarcerated for weeks on end. He probably thinks his ordeal is politically motivated, and as a governorship aspirant in the opposition his fellow travellers have encouraged his miscomprehension of his legal troubles. A third-rate lawyer himself, he seems to believe the lies. But what did he expect? The courts wait patiently for men like him, powerful people who think they are untouchable, who when they were in office connived at the raids on residences of judges and mistreatment of court officials. He will of course get his bail, but he will now be more enlightened about the transience of power and how the system ruthlessly exacts vengeance.

  • Alleged N8.7b fraud: Court rules January 7 on Malami, others’ bail

    Alleged N8.7b fraud: Court rules January 7 on Malami, others’ bail

    • Grants N500m bail to Bauchi Finance Commissioner Adamu

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled ruling for January 7 on the applications for bail filed by the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and two others.

    The other two are Abdulaziz Malami (Malami’s son) and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former minister.

    Justice Emeka Nwite chose the date on Friday after taking arguments from lawyers to parties in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case against the three defendants.

    Malami and his son are currently being remanded in Kuje Prison in Abuja, while Hajia Asabe is being held in the female section of the Suleja prison in the neighbouring Niger State.

    The three defendants are being prosecuted on a 16-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC is among others, claiming that Malami and his two co-defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds estimated at N8.7billion, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

    READ ALSO; Why I walked away as Finance Minister – Kemi Adeosun

    Lawyer to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), while arguing the bail application, noted among others, that the offences alleged were bailable.

    Daudu also spoke about the status of the first defendant and prayed the court to grant all the defendants bail in the most liberal terms.

    Prosecuting lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), though noted that bail was at the discretion of the court, urged the court to reject bail for the defendants.

    Earlier on Friday, Justice Nwite, in a separate ruling, granted bail to the Commissioner for Finance in Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu at N500 million, among other conditions in relation to the money laundering charge brought against him and one other.

    The judge held that the court was minded to exercise its discretionary power in favour of Adamu since the prosecution presented no strong reason that the defendant would jump bail or interfere with the trial.

    Justice Nwite held that the power to grant bail must be exercised judicially and judiciously, hence, the need for the defendant to be admitted to bail.

    The judge ordered Adamu to produce two sureties, who must be land owners within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarinpa District of Abuja.

    He ordered that the sureties must depose an affidavit of means.

    The judge said that the defendant and the sureties shall deposit their international passports with the court registrar and must not travel out of the country except with the leave of the court.

    He also held that they shall deposit two passport photographs with the court registrar.

    Justice Nwite also ordered that Adamu should be remanded in Kuje Prison pending when he is able to meet the conditions attached to the bail granted him

    He adjourned till January 20 for the commencement of trial.

    Adamu is being prosecuted with a firm, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025 filed by the EFCC in which the defendants are accused of laundering about N4.6billion.

    In count one, Adamu, while acting as the Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Ltd, Bauchi, alongside Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, Managing Director of Makayye Investment Resources Ltd (now at large) and Muntaka Mohammed Duguri (now at large), were alleged to have conspired to commit the offence, sometime between June 2023 to December 2023.

    They were alleged to have facilitated and agreed to the conversion, transfer, concealment and use of funds in the sum of about N4,650,000,000.00 (Four Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) availed by Polaris Bank under the guise of financing the supply of motorcycles to Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises.

    “The motorcycles were not supplied, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” the count read in part.

  • Alleged N8.7b fraud: Malami, son remanded in prison till Fri

    Alleged N8.7b fraud: Malami, son remanded in prison till Fri

    Immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son Abubakar Abdulaziz  and Hajia Bashir Asabe were yesterday remanded in Kuje Prison, Abuja.

    They are to remain in the facility until Januray 2, 2006 on the order of a Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Hajia Asabe is said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former Justice minister.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, who handed out the order in a ruling on yesterday, said the trio should remain in prison until January 2 when their bail application would be heard and determined.

    The Judge, in the ruling on an oral bail application made by defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu, (SAN), said it would serve the interest of justice and fair hearing to allow the prosecution to respond to the formal bail application earlier filed by the defendants

    The judge said: “I have listened to the submissions of the learner counsel for both divide and also gone through the relevant laws. It is not in dispute that an application for bail has been filed by the defendants.

    “It is also not in dispute that the bail application has been served on the prosecution. It is not in dispute that the application cannot be withdrawn by the defendants.”

    Justice Nwite said although the court could exercise its power by granting bail, the exercise of such power would be possible after the prosecution has responded to the bail application filed by the defence.

    He noted that it would amount to an ambush for the court to grant the bail application while the prosecution was yet to file a response to the bail application by the defence.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Ex-AGF Malami, others appear in Abuja court over Alleged N8.7bn fraud

    The Judge said: “This will breach the right to fair hearing against the prosecution. I am of the view that the interest of justice will be met by allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application filed.

    Earlier in the proceedings, the three defendants were arraigned on a 16-count money laundering charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC is among others, claiming that Malami and his two co-defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which prosecuting lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) applied for a date for the commencement of trial.

    Daudu told the court about his intention to apply for bail for the defendants.

    Responding, Iheanacho said he was yet to respond to the formal bail application filed by the defendants and applied for an adjournment to enable him respond to bail application.

    Iheanacho said: “In view of the non-guilty plea of the defendants, may we apply for a trial date for the defendants.

    “I know we received an application for bail and we will be seeking your lordship indulgence for a date to respond. We got the application yesterday around 3pm. We will be asking for a date to respond.”

    Daudu said even though a formal bail application had been filed by the defendant, he could equally make an orally application, citing a 1995 case involving Abiola Vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    After listening to the lawyers to both sides, Justice Nwite suspended proceedings briefly, but returned later to deliver the ruling.

    In the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 the EFCC alleged, in count one, that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion (N1,014,848,500) in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

    Count two states that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo allegedly concealed more than N600 million (N600, 013,460.40) through the same company.

    In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the funds were illicit.

    Count four alleges that in November 2022, Malami, his son and Mrs. Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.

    In count five, the EFCC claimed that between November 2022 and September 2024, the trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s account in a first generation bank.

    Count six states that between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son allegedly took control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account, knowing it was illicit.

    Count seven alleges that in November–December 2018, Malami and Mrs. Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd).

    In count eight, between September and December 2020, the duo and Mrs. Asabe allegedly concealed N850 million to buy a property in Jabi District, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd).

    Count nine states that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.

    In count 10, the pair allegedly concealed N210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.

    Count 11 alleges that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to acquire No. 1241B Asokoro District, Abuja.

    In count 12, the EFCC stated that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed N120 million used to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

    Count 13 alleges that in November 2022, Malami, his son, and Mrs Asabe conspired to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

    In count 14, between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Mrs. Asabe, and others allegedly conspired to acquire additional properties for Mr. Malami with proceeds of unlawful activity.

    Count 15 states that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami allegedly concealed N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

    In count 16, the EFCC alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

  • UPDATED: Alleged N8.7b fraud: Court remands ex-AGF Malami, son, one other in Kuje prison till January 2

    UPDATED: Alleged N8.7b fraud: Court remands ex-AGF Malami, son, one other in Kuje prison till January 2

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two others be remanded in Kuje prison until January 2, 2026.

    The other two are Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami (Malami’s son) and Hajia Bashir Asabe, said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former minister.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, who handed out the order in a ruling on Tuesday, said the three should remain in prison until January 2 next year, when their bail application would be heard and determined.

    Justice Nwite, in the ruling on an oral bail application made by defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), said it would serve the interest of justice and fair hearing to allow the prosecution respond to the formal bail application earlier filed by the defendants

    The judge said, “I have listened to the submissions of the learned counsel for both sides and also gone through the relevant laws. It is not in dispute that a bail application has been filed by the defendants.

    “It is also not in dispute that the bail application has been served on the prosecution. It is not in dispute that the application cannot be withdrawn by the defendants,” he said.

    The judge said that although the court could exercise its power by granting bail, the exercise of such power would be possible after the prosecution has responded to the bail application filed by the defence.

    Justice Nwite said it would amount to an ambush for the court to grant the bail application while the prosecution was yet to file a response to the defence’s bail application.

    He added, “This will breach the right to a fair hearing against the prosecution. I am of the view that the interest of justice will be met by allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application filed.”

    Earlier in the proceedings, the three defendants were arraigned on a 16-count money laundering charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC is among others, claiming that Malami and his two co-defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which prosecuting lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), applied for a date for the commencement of trial.

    Daudu then told the court about his intention to apply for bail for the defendants.

    Responding, Iheanacho said he had yet to respond to the formal bail application filed by the defendants and applied for an adjournment to enable him respond to the bail application.

    Iheanacho said, “In view of the non-guilty plea of the defendants, may we apply for a trial date for the defendants.

    “I know we received an application for bail, and we will be seeking your lordship’s indulgence for a date to respond.

    “We got the application yesterday around 3 pm. We will be asking for a date to respond.”

    Daudu then said even though a formal bail application had been filed by the defendant, he could equally make an oral application, citing a 1995 case involving Abiola Vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    After listening to the lawyers of both sides, Justice Nwite suspended proceedings briefly but returned later to deliver the ruling.

    In the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC alleged, in count one, that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion (N1,014,848,500) in a Sterling Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

    Count two states that between September 2020 and February 2021, the duo allegedly concealed more than N600 million (N600,013,460.40) through the same company.

    In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million Sterling Bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the funds were illicit.

    Count four alleges that in November 2022, Malami, his son, and Mrs. Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja.

    In count five, the EFCC claimed that between November 2022 and September 2024, the trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s Union Bank account.

    Count six states that between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son allegedly took control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account, knowing it was illicit.

    Count seven alleges that in November–December 2018, Malami and Mrs. Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd).

    In count eight, between September and December 2020, the duo and Mrs. Asabe allegedly concealed N850 million to buy a property in Jabi District, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd).

    Count nine states that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N430 million, allegedly from unlawful sources.

    In count 10, the pair allegedly concealed N210 million in February 2018 to purchase a property in Asokoro District, Abuja.

    Count 11 alleges that between March and June 2021, they concealed N325 million used to acquire No. 1241B Asokoro District, Abuja.

    In count 12, the EFCC stated that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed N120 million used to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

    Count 13 alleges that in November 2022, Malami, his son, and Mrs Asabe conspired to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

    In count 14, between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Mrs Asabe, and others allegedly conspired to acquire additional properties for Mr Malami with proceeds of unlawful activity.

    Count 15 states that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami allegedly concealed N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

    In count 16, the EFCC alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

  • JUST IN: Malami pleads not guilty to 16-count money laundering charges

    JUST IN: Malami pleads not guilty to 16-count money laundering charges

    Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to a 16-count money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Malami was arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his fourth wife, Bashir Asabe, who also pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to them by the court registrar.

    The defendants appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    In the charge, the EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired at different times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.

    The anti-graft agency further alleged that the offences spanned several years and involved the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of large sums of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.

    The EFCC also claimed that some of the alleged offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

    Details shortly…

  • JUST IN: Ex-AGF Malami, others appear in Abuja court over Alleged N8.7bn fraud

    JUST IN: Ex-AGF Malami, others appear in Abuja court over Alleged N8.7bn fraud

    Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was on Tuesday morning brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ahead of his arraignment on a 16-count money laundering charge.

    Malami appeared in court shortly before 9 a.m., accompanied by his two co-defendants: his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a company linked to the former minister.

    Read Also: EFCC files money laundering charge against Malami, son

    The EFCC alleges that the trio, among others, laundered approximately N8.7 billion.

    Court proceedings are yet to commence.

    Details shortly…

  • Malami, Farouk, and question Nigeria refuses to answer

    Malami, Farouk, and question Nigeria refuses to answer

    • By Folorunso Fatai Adisa

    Sir: In The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born (1968), Armah offers one of the sharpest moral metaphors in African literature. The chichidodo, he writes, hates excrement with all its soul, yet feeds only on maggots, which thrive best in filth. It despises corruption but survives on its proceeds. That contradiction is its tragedy. It is also ours. The spread of chichidodos has made accountability in Nigeria painfully difficult. Alleged looters are shielded not by evidence of innocence but by ethnic sentiment, religious loyalty, and partisan allegiance. Justice is stalled not because facts are absent, but because conscience has been outsourced to identity.

    Mark Twain captured this moral boundary succinctly when he observed that patriotism means supporting your country all the time, and your government only when it deserves it. He did not advocate blind loyalty. Defending public plunderers is not patriotism. It is parasitism. To praise looters is to feed off the decay they create. That is chichidodo logic.

    According to The Cable, the EFCC has traced 41 properties allegedly worth about N212 billion to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The report states that these assets, hotels, residential buildings, land, schools, and a printing press, are spread across Kebbi State, Kano State, and the Federal Capital Territory. The figures cited are staggering: over N162 billion in Kebbi, about N16 billion in Kano, and nearly N35 billion in the FCT.

    These sums are not abstract. They represent hospitals not built, roads not repaired, classrooms not equipped, and lives diminished by neglect. Political economist Susan Rose-Ackerman, one of the world’s leading scholars on corruption, has long argued that corruption is not only a moral failing but a systemic tax on development, diverting public resources from productive use and eroding trust in institutions. Where corruption becomes normalised, she notes, inequality deepens and state capacity collapses.

    Earlier this month, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, publicly alleged that a senior government official had sent four children to a Swiss secondary school at a reported cost of $5 million. The official he mentioned was Farouk Ahmed, chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. These claims remain allegations, but they raise unavoidable questions. What lawful income sustains such expenditure? What private enterprise supports such opulence? Or are public resources being quietly converted into private luxury?

    These are not questions of envy but of arithmetic. Lavish spending on this scale cannot be reconciled with modest public-sector earnings. Economist Amartya Sen has consistently argued that development is not measured by elite consumption but by the expansion of collective capabilities. When public wealth is siphoned into private excess, the freedoms of the many are sacrificed for the comfort of the few.

    Read Also: Tinubu vows deeper faith-leader engagements to curb conflict, promote peaceful coexistence

    Sadly, the most disheartening sight is not the allegations themselves but the reaction they provoke. Struggling Nigerians rush to defend those under investigation. Poverty argues on behalf of privilege. Hunger becomes a shield for power. This is the mob mentality Aesop warned about in The Frogs and the Sun, where short-term excitement blinds people to long-term ruin.

    Corruption in Nigeria is not confined to politicians alone. It seeps through institutions. Civil servants, regulators, and gatekeepers often form the hidden machinery that sustains the rot. As the World Bank has repeatedly observed, corruption thrives where accountability mechanisms are weak and where social tolerance allows abuse of office to go unpunished.

    If you wish to be an honoured guest in the house of equity, you cannot arrive as a chichidodo. Justice admits only those who come with clean hands, clean garments, and clean intentions. Around the world, nations that treat grand corruption lightly eventually pay heavily in instability, insecurity, and social collapse.

    Nigeria need not imitate extreme punitive models to confront corruption, but it must rediscover seriousness. Without firm and consistent accountability, the damage ahead will eclipse what we already endure. A society that habitually defends looters is not just corrupt; it is complicit. While countries like China impose the harshest penalties for grand corruption, Nigeria need only enforce asset forfeiture, restitution, and lifelong disqualification from public office. Looters should not stroll freely through our streets enjoying stolen comfort; they should lose both the funds and the fun that corruption affords.

    •Folorunso Fatai Adisa,

    United Kingdom.