Ex-AGF Malami, Son Remanded at Kuje Over N8.7bn Money Laundering Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday remanded former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications, scheduled for January 2, 2026.

The trio had earlier been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering, unlawful acquisition of assets, and conspiracy. All pleaded not guilty before Justice Emeka Nwite.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of abusing his office to channel illicit funds through private companies, property deals, and bank transactions, which the EFCC claims he “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Court documents allege that Malami and his son laundered over N1.014 billion via Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd between 2022 and 2025 and used N600 million to secure a loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the source was suspicious. They are also accused of acquiring high-end properties in Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Kano through proxies and corporate fronts.

The EFCC’s Proof of Evidence lists investigators, bankers, and Bureau De Change operators as witnesses who will testify to the alleged corruption. A witness reportedly claims his company’s accounts were used for large transactions without his knowledge.

The high-profile case has drawn national attention and is set to continue on January 2 with the hearing of bail applications.