The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 16-count charge of fraud and money laundering against Abubakar Malami SAN, Nigeria’s former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sources within the anti-graft agency describe this as the first in a series of impending prosecutions against Malami, with additional charges expected in early 2026. The EFCC has already traced 37 properties valued at N21 billion linked to him across Birnin Kebbi, Kano, and Abuja, which it plans to seek forfeiture for in court.
The charges, spanning 2015 to 2025, accuse Malami—often alongside his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami and Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd employee Hajia Bashir Asabe—of concealing, retaining, and disguising billions of naira in illicit funds through companies like Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd, and Efab Properties Ltd. Violations cited include Sections 15, 18, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Key allegations in the charges
Prosecutors allege Malami and associates used suspect funds for high-value transactions, including:
N1.014 billion (July 2022–June 2025) funneled through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd’s Sterling Bank account (No. 0079182387) to hide unlawful origins.
N600 million (Sept 2020–Feb 2021) similarly concealed via the same account, plus retention as cash collateral for a N500 million loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd.
N500 million (Nov 2022) paid to Efab Properties for a luxury duplex at Plot 3011, Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
N1.049 billion (Nov 2022–Sept 2024) transferred to Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s Union Bank account (No. 0179011105), plus conspiracy to disguise its source.
N700 million (Nov–Dec 2018) for Hamonia Hotels Ltd property at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
N850 million (Sept–Dec 2020) for Meethaq Hotels Ltd land at Plot 683, Jabi District.
N430 million (Feb 2018) and N210 million for properties at No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, and Plot 3130, Asokoro District.
N325 million (March–June 2021) for No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro.
N120 million (Nov 2015–Jan 2016) for a property in Efab Estate, Gwarimpa.
N537 million (June 2022–Jan 2023) for assets including No. 26 Babbi Street, BUA Estate, Abuja; a bungalow in Birnin Kebbi; and No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano.
N415 million (Oct 2018–Dec 2021) for multiple properties like No. 28 Bagudu Kaltio Crescent, Gwarimpa; Ipent 7 Estate plot; and lands in Birnin Kebbi and Kano GRA.
Additional counts involve conspiracies to acquire properties with proceeds of crime, including a broad plot from December 2016 to April 2022.
The EFCC has assembled a formidable prosecution team led by Jubrin Okutepa SAN and E.E. Iheanacho SAN. No hearing date has been scheduled yet.
This development follows recent EFCC revelations about Malami’s business interests in Kebbi State and underscores heightened scrutiny on top officials from the previous administration.
