EFCC to Arraign Ex-AGF Malami Tuesday Over Alleged Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets.

The scheduled arraignment was confirmed late Monday night by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency.

Also listed as defendants in the charge are his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and another individual.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired at different times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.

The charge alleged that the offences spanned several years and involved the use of companies and multiple bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of large sums of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.

The commission further alleged that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as the nation’s chief law officer, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Malami and the other defendants are expected to enter their pleas when the matter comes up for arraignment on Tuesday.