The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigns former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz, on alleged money laundering charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the defendants appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following the reassignment of the case to her court. The matter comes up for fresh arraignment after earlier judicial changes, with the prosecution formally requesting that the defendants take their pleas.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, informs the court that the case is appearing before the judge for the first time under the new assignment and seeks leave for the defendants’ pleas to be taken. The prosecution also applies for corrections in Counts 11 and 12, requesting that the sums be amended to N325 million instead of N325 billion for Count 11, and N120 million instead of N120 billion for Count 12.
Mediaplusng.com notes that the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, does not oppose the application. Justice Abdulmalik grants the request, allowing the corrections to reflect the revised amounts as presented by the prosecution.
Following the amendments, the former Attorney-General, his wife, and their son each plead not guilty to the 16-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The charges border on alleged money laundering offences, which the EFCC says involve financial transactions under investigation.
Mediaplusng.com gathers that the case has undergone multiple judicial reassignments. It was previously before Justice Emeka Nwite, who handled it during the Christmas and New Year vacation period. After the vacation, the Chief Judge reassigned the matter to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who later recused himself on February 12, prompting another reassignment to Justice Abdulmalik.
Court records indicate that the defendants were first arraigned on December 30, 2025. At that time, the former AGF and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre. They were subsequently granted bail on January 7 in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The re-arraignment marks a fresh procedural phase in the trial, as the court prepares to proceed with substantive hearings. Legal observers say the case is likely to draw national attention due to the high profile of the defendants and the implications for accountability in public office.
As proceedings continue, the Federal High Court is expected to fix dates for trial and evidentiary hearings. The EFCC maintains that it is committed to prosecuting corruption-related offences in line with its statutory mandate, while the defence insists on the defendants’ right to fair hearing and due process under the law.
