Former AGF Malami, Son, Wife Back in Prison Over N9bln Fraud

Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe have been sent to prison following a Friday court appearance in Abuja.

The EFCC has leveled 16 new charges against them, centered on the alleged misappropriation of N9 billion in government funds.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the former AGF and his son to the Kuje facility, while his wife was sent to the Suleja detention centre.

Although the family maintains their innocence and their lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), pushed for their immediate release based on previous bail terms, they will remain incarcerated until their bail application is heard on March 6.

Daudu highlighted the specific terms outlined in the earlier verdict issued by Justice Emeka Nwite, who handled the matter during a judicial recess period.

Prosecution counsel Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), representing the EFCC, confirmed that the defendants had met the conditions of their previous administrative bail.

However, Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that the case was starting de novo (afresh) under her jurisdiction, noting that all prior proceedings under Justice Nwite had legally concluded.

The court rejected the defense’s attempt to secure bail through oral applications, insisting instead on formal written petitions.

The EFCC alleged that Malami—who served as Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under the Buhari administration—laundered illicit funds by purchasing luxury real estate in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.

Prosecutors further detailed that between 2022 and 2025, the defendants used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to disguise over N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account.

This same entity was allegedly used to divert an additional N600 million between September 2020 and February 2021.

Furthermore, the commission alleged Malami of using N600 million in illicit funds as collateral for a N500 million Sterling Bank loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd in March 2021, thereby contravening multiple sections of the 2011 Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

Witnesses set to testify against the trio include anti-graft investigators, bank staff, property brokers, and currency traders.

In a separate legal battle, Malami and his son are also confronting a five-count charge from the DSS related to terrorism support and illegal arms possession.

This follows a previous incident where the security agency took the former AGF into custody just after he had secured bail in his financial crime case.