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30 property valued at N212.8b: EFCC files money laundering charge against Malami, son

Published

3 months ago

December 24, 2025

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Abubakar Malami (SAN), former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, has been charged with money laundering.

He will face a 16-count charge.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him under Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended and punishable under Section 15(3).

He is charged along with his son, Abdulaziz, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Bashir Asabe.

In the charge, the first in three series, Malami was alleged to have laundered about N9billion to buy choice houses in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and others.

The ex-AGF is to account for how he came about 30 houses, valued at N212.8billion.

They were mostly acquired during his eight years in office.

He served between 2015 and 2023 in the government of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The EFCC may invoke the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture clause of its Establishment Act to seize some of the properties.

It has a 14-day window to ask anyone interested to show cause as to why the assets should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The anti-graft commission is awaiting a date from the Federal High Court, Abuja, for the commencement of the trial.

The charge sheet was dated December 23rd, 2025.

In what appears a mother of all trials, those who will prosecute Malami are Chief Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekene Iheanacho (SAN), leading 14 other lawyers.

No fewer than 10 witnesses have been frontloaded to the court in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

There was no official reaction from Malami yesterday because he was still in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

His last reaction was a statement in which he asked the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to recuse himself from his trial.

The 16 charges revealed how Malami engaged Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to launder funds.

The charges are as follows:

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between July 2022 and June, 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the total sum of N1, 014, 848, 500.00 (One Billion, Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) in the Sterling Bank Plc Account No. 0079182387 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed proceeds of unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between September 2020 and February, 2021in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the total sum of N600,013,460.4 in the Sterling Bank Plc Account No. 0079182387 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed proceeds of unlawful activitiesand you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami sometime in March, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the total sum of N600,000,000.00 in Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited as cash collateral for a loan of N500,000,000.00 granted to RAYHAAN HOTELS LTD by Sterling Bank Plc when you reasonably ought to have known that the said cash collateral of N600,000,000.00 was proceed of unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amendedpunishable under section 15(3) of the same Act

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited sometime in November, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did indirectly disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N500,000,000.00 paid to Efab Properties Ltd paid for purchase of property known as luxury duplex at Amazon street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said N500million formed proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2) (a) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometimes in September 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N1,049,173,926.13 paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd Jabi savings Account No. 0179011105 between November 2022 and September 2024 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 18(2) (a) and (3) of the same Act.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between November 2022 and October, 2025 indirectly took control of the aggregate sum of N1,362,887,872.96 paid through the savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited in Union Bank Plc when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometimes between November and December, 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Courtindirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N700,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of the property described as No. 3 Onitsha Crescent Area 11, Garki Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd) in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N700, 000,000.00formed proceeds of unlawful activityand you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltdsometimes between September 2020 and December, 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly concealed the aggregate sum of N850,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of property described as Plot 683 Jabi District Cadastral Zone B04 (Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi) when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N850, 000, 000.00 represented proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited on or about February, 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly acquired the property described as No. 3 Rhine Street Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd) for an aggregate sum of N430,000,000.00 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N430,000,000.00 formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometimes on or about February, 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N210,000,000.00 paid for the purchaseof the property described as No. 3130 Cadastral Zone A04 Asokoro District, Abuja in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N210, 000, 000,000.00 represented proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd between March and June 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N325,000,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of property described as No. 1241B Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent Asokoro) in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N325, 000, 000.00 represented proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd between November 2015 and January, 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N120,000,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of property described as No. 27 Efab Estate 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N120, 000, 000.00 represented proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

“That you Abubakar Malami SANwhilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometime in November, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to conceal the unlawful origin of the funds paid for the purchase of property known as luxury duplex at Amazon street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 18(2) (a) and (3) of the same Act.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Hajia Bashir Asabe whilst being an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd and other persons at large between December, 2016 and April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly acquire landed properties for Abubakar Malami SAN with proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2011 and punishable under Section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the same Act.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, between June and January, 2023in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum N537,000,000.00 which you paid for the purchase of the properties namely (i) No. 26 Babbi Street, BUA Estate, Abuja, (ii) 4 bedroom Bungalow, Guesse 2 Brinin- Kebbi and (iii) No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, Nassarawa GRA, Kano knowing that the said sum of N537, 000,000.00formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2) (a) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, between October 2018 and December, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the aggregate sum N415,000,000.00 which you paid for the purchase of the properties namely (i) No. 28 Bagudu Kaltio crescent Gwarimpa, Abuja (ii) Plot 13, Ipent 7 Estate Abuja and (iii) A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundry and Warehouse Tanks Adjacent to Brinin Kebbi Market (iv) 100 hectares of land Along Brinin Kebbi, Jeba Road (v) Plot 157 Lamido Crescent, Nassarawa Road GRA, Kano knowing that the said sum of N415,000,000.00 formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended.”

Related Topics:ABUBAKAR MALAMI EFCC MONEY LAUNDERING

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UK unveils programme for Tinubu’s state visit

Published

10 hours ago

March 15, 2026

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The United Kingdom government has unveiled the programme for the state visit of President Bola Tinubu, scheduled to take place from March 17 to 19.

According to the itinerary, the visit will be hosted at Windsor Castle and will include bilateral meetings, ceremonial events and engagements with members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Preparations for the visit are scheduled for March 17, with security sweeps, road closures and procession rehearsals taking place ahead of the president’s arrival.

Tinubu will officially arrive the UK on March 18 and will be received by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

A ceremonial welcome will follow on Datchet road, including the playing of national anthems and a guard inspection.

The president will then proceed in a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, where he will be received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The schedule also includes a formal reception, a 21-gun salute and a state luncheon at St George’s Hall.

Later in the day, Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral meetings with UK officials focusing on trade, security, migration and port development.

The day will conclude with a cultural exchange event showcasing Nigerian artefacts, followed by a state banquet hosted at Windsor Castle.

On March 19, the Nigerian president will hold a private breakfast with the king and queen before departing for London.

While in London, Tinubu is expected to lay a wreath at the The Cenotaph in Westminster.

He will also meet with Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, at 10 Downing Street, for bilateral discussions and a woking lunch.

Other engagements include a meeting with members of the Nigerian diaspora and the signing of bilateral agreements at Buckingham Palace.

The visit will conclude with Tinubu’s departure from RAF Northolt for Nigeria.

The trip marks Nigeria’s first full state visit to the UK in 57 years.

News

Four dead, many injured as truck runs into fully-loaded commercial bus in Lagos

Published

16 hours ago

March 15, 2026

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Four passengers have died while many others are seriously injured following a road accident involving a truck and a commercial mini bus along the Lekki–Epe expressway.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the accident occurred “over the weekend” opposite Beechwood in Shapati, inward Ajah.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, spokesperson of the agency, the traffic agency said the crash involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a Suzuki commercial mini bus popularly known as ‘korope’.

According to the agency, preliminary findings indicated that the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle which then veered across the road, crashing into the oncoming commercial bus conveying passengers.

LASTMA said the impact of the collision killed four male passengers instantly, while four other occupants — two males and two females — sustained severe injuries after getting trapped in the wreckage.

The agency said its personnel arrived at the scene promptly and rescued the injured victims from the mangled vehicle with the support of other emergency responders and passersby.

The injured passengers were taken to Hamon Royal Hospital for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Shency Hospital morgue by an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Officers of the Nigeria police force attached to the Elemoro police division also secured the accident scene and managed traffic during the rescue operation.

LASTMA added that the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled the scene after the crash.

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of LASTMA, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured speedy recovery.

He also urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to adhere to traffic safety regulations and exercise caution to prevent road accidents.

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ADC faction fixes April 3 for national convention

Published

17 hours ago

March 15, 2026

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A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced April 3 to 5 as the date for the election of new members of the national working committee (NWC).

In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC faction said party executives at the ward, LGA, state, and national congresses will be elected through consensus.

In a timetable outlining activities leading up to the national convention, the party said ward congresses will take place on March 19, followed by LGA congresses on March 24, and state congresses on March 28.

The group said the decision was taken to promote unity, inclusivity, and internal cohesion.

“This decision is taken in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), in furtherance of its commitment to promoting unity, cohesion, and inclusiveness within the party,” the statement reads.

“The BOT/NWC believes that the consensus approach will foster greater cooperation, understanding, and collective leadership, ultimately strengthening the party’s ability to achieve its goals and objectives.”

The ADC faction also announced the commencement of a membership registration exercise for new members, which will run from March 14 to 25.

The party said new members are expected to register at their respective ward offices and obtain membership cards through the party’s continuous membership registration committee (CMRC).

“This exercise is strictly for new members; existing members are not required to renew their membership at this time,” the party said.

The group said issues arising from the various congresses would be addressed accordingly, with petitions from the national convention expected to be resolved between April 6 and 10.

The party faction distanced itself from the ongoing electronic membership mobilisation, registration, and revalidation exercise being conducted by the ADC coalition led by David Mark.

The group said the exercise does not follow the procedures outlined in the party’s constitution, adding that the official online membership registration portal would be released later through the party’s authorised channels.

The statement was jointly signed by Nafi’u Bala, the factional national chairman, and Rufus Ikanmi, secretary of the board of trustees (BOT).

The ADC coalition, led by Mark, had earlier scheduled April 14 for the election of the party’s national officers.