The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was postponed on Friday due to the absence of his lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
Malami, alongside his wife, Hajiya Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami, faces a 16-count money laundering charge involving N8.7 billion, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The matter, scheduled before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, could not proceed because the defendants’ lawyer was not in court, although EFCC’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and the defendants were present. Daudu had earlier requested an adjournment from the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the trial to June 23, 2026 for continuation.
The case began on March 6, 2026, with EFCC calling its first witness, David Ajoma, a Sterling Bank compliance officer, to testify on transactions involving the defendants. Two prosecution witnesses had previously testified on March 16 about payments made into accounts linked to Malami and his family.
Malami, Asabe, and Abdulaziz pleaded not guilty when re-arraigned on February 27. They were initially remanded at Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres before being granted N200 million bail each with two sureties, including the deposit of property title deeds in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and surrender of their international passports.
The case continues to draw national attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants and the size of the alleged laundering activities.
