Malami, Wife, Son Re-Arraigned As EFCC Amends Charges in Alleged N445m Money Laundering Case

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

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

At the resumed proceedings, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was appearing before Justice Abdulmalik for the first time and requested that the defendants take their pleas.

“The matter is coming before your lordship this morning for the very first time. I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken,” Okutepa said.

The senior advocate also sought leave of court to amend Counts 11 and 12 of the charge, correcting the alleged sums from N325 billion to N325 million in Count 11, and from N120 billion to N120 million in Count 12.

Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the application. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted the request for amendment.

Upon the reading of the amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, Malami, his wife, and son pleaded not guilty.

The case has witnessed multiple reassignments. Another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had withdrawn from the matter on February 12 shortly after it was transferred to him.

The case was initially handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter as vacation judge during the Christmas and New Year break. Following the end of the vacation, the Chief Judge reassigned the case to Justice Egwuatu, who later recused himself, paving the way for its reassignment to Justice Abdulmalik.

Malami and his son were first arraigned on December 30, 2025, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025. While Malami and Abdulaziz were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre.

The defendants were later granted bail on January 7 in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

Proceedings in the high-profile trial are expected to continue under the new judge.