EFCC re-arraigns Malami, wife, son over money laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz, over alleged money laundering offences.

The trio was re-arraigned before Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja following the reassignment of the case to a new trial judge.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was before the judge for the first time and requested that the defendants’ pleas be taken.

Okutepa also sought the court’s permission to correct the sums listed in Counts 11 and 12, asking that the figures be amended to N325 million instead of N325 billion for Count 11, and N120 million instead of N120 billion for Count 12. The defence, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the application, and the court granted the request.

Malami, his wife and son subsequently pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency, all bordering on alleged money laundering.

The case had undergone several judicial reassignments. It was initially handled by Justice Emeka Nwite during the court’s vacation period before being reassigned to Obiora Egwuatu, who later recused himself. The matter was then transferred to Justice Abdulmalik.

The defendants were first arraigned on December 30, 2025, under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025.

Malami and his son were earlier remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir was held at Suleja Correctional Centre. They were later granted bail on January 7 in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties apiece in the same amount.