The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, over alleged money laundering offences.
The trio appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the matter was reassigned to her.
At the resumed sitting, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the case was coming up before the judge for the first time and requested that the defendants take their pleas.
He also sought the court’s permission to correct figures in two of the counts, stating that the amounts earlier listed as N325 billion and N120 billion should read N325 million and N120 million respectively. The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), did not oppose the request, and the court granted the application.
Following the corrections, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The case has passed through multiple judges. It was initially handled by Justice Emeka Nwite during the court’s vacation period. Afterward, it was reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who later withdrew from the matter, leading to its reassignment to Justice Abdulmalik.
Malami, his wife and son were first arraigned on Dec. 30, 2025. They were remanded at the Kuje and Suleja correctional centres before being granted bail on Jan. 7 in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like amount.
The trial is expected to continue on a date to be fixed by the court.
