JUST IN: Malami pleads not guilty to money laundering charges
In a significant judicial proceeding on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was formally arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Facing a 16-count money laundering charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the former minister entered a plea of not guilty.
Joining him in the dock were his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his fourth wife, Bashir Asabe, both of whom also pleaded not guilty to all counts. The defendants appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite to answer for allegations involving the concealment and disguise of proceeds from unlawful activities totaling several billions of naira.
The prosecution’s case centers on a sophisticated web of financial transactions allegedly orchestrated over several years. According to the EFCC, the defendants utilized various corporate entities and bank accounts to launder funds, held substantial cash sums as collateral for loans, and acquired an extensive portfolio of luxury properties across Abuja, Kano, and other regions.
The EFCC explicitly noted that several of these alleged crimes were committed during Malami’s tenure as the nation’s chief law officer. The commission maintains that these actions constitute a grave breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
The court’s registrar read the charges to a packed courtroom, marking the start of a high-profile legal battle that many see as a litmus test for the government’s current anti-corruption drive. Following the “not guilty” pleas, the legal teams are expected to argue for bail, while the EFCC has indicated its readiness to present evidence linking the high-value assets to the alleged illicit funds.
