The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, on money laundering offences before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court.
The re-arraignment followed the reassignment of the case to a new trial judge. EFCC’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for defendants’ plea taking.
“The matter is coming before your lordship this morning for the very first time. I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken,” Okutepa said.
He also applied to correct the sums listed in Counts 11 and 12, changing them from ₦325 billion to ₦325 million and ₦120 billion to ₦120 million, respectively. The defence, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the correction, and Justice Abdulmalik granted the application.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges bordering on money laundering brought by the EFCC.
The case has seen multiple reassignments: it was initially before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as vacation judge during the Christmas/New Year break, then reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who later withdrew, before being assigned to Justice Abdulmalik.
Malami and his son were previously remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre. All three were admitted to ₦500 million bail each on January 7, with two sureties each in the like sum.
The EFCC continues to pursue the case as part of its ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes and money laundering in Nigeria.
