The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), his spouse Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz on charges of money laundering on Friday.
The trio appeared in the courtroom of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a reassignment of their case to the new trial judge.
During the hearing, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, the EFCC’s legal representative, informed the court that the defendants were being re-arraigned.
“This matter is being presented to your Lordship for the first time this morning. I will be requesting the court to take the plea of the defendants,” Okutepa stated.
He also motioned for corrections in the amounts specified in Counts 11 and 12 of the charges, requesting that the figures be adjusted to N325 million for Count 11 and N120 million for Count 12, instead of the previously stated billions. This request was not contested by defence lawyer Joseph Daudu, SAN, prompting Justice Abdulmalik to approve the oral application.
The defendants entered a not guilty plea to the 16 charges against them concerning money laundering, as filed by the anti-graft agency.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), another judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had withdrawn from hearing the case shortly after it was diverted to him by the EFCC. Previously, Justice Emeka Nwite had presided over the case during the holiday period.
After the recess, the Chief Justice reassigned the case to Justice Egwuatu, who subsequently recused himself, leading to its transfer to Justice Abdulmalik.
The accused, Malami, his wife, and their son had previously faced arraignment before Justice Nwite under the case number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 on December 30, 2025.
At that time, Malami and his son were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe was housed at Suleja Correctional Centre. Each of them was later granted bail set at N500 million, with two sureties of equivalent value on January 7, 2026. (NAN)
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