The former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made a high-profile appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja today, Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
Arriving at Court 8 around 8:55 AM under heavy escort by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malami was formally arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, conspiracy, and the illegal acquisition of properties.
Malami was docked alongside two co-defendants: his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd.2 The EFCC’s case alleges a massive financial web involving over ₦8.7 billion in illicit funds and luxury asset.
The charge sheet identifies properties worth billions in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi allegedly acquired through proxies between 2018 and 2023.
One specific count alleges that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal ₦1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025.
The defendants are accused of using ₦600 million in cash as collateral for a ₦500 million loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the funds were proceeds of “unlawful activity.”
The EFCC claims the defendants indirectly controlled ₦1.36 billion through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd between 2022 and 2025.
Malami, who served for eight years under the Buhari administration, has been in EFCC custody since 8 December 2025. His appearance today follows a week of legal friction.
Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Doka, recently accused the EFCC of “blatant defiance” for allegedly refusing to release the former AGF despite an interim bail order granted by an FCT High Court on 23 December.
In a statement issued from detention, Malami described his ordeal as a “trial by media” and a political vendetta, though he maintained he is willing to submit to the due process of the law.
The EFCC has assembled a heavyweight legal team led by Chief J. S. Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) to lead the trial.
As of mid-morning, Malami and his co-defendants were expected to enter their formal pleas. The court will subsequently decide whether to grant the former minister fresh bail or remand him in a correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial in early 2026.
