The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his wife, Asabe Rakiya Bashir, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, continued on Monday, March 16, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting the defendants on an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities to the tune of N8,713,923,759.49 (Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo), contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, presented Daniel Simon Kwayil, a compliance officer with Union Bank as Prosecution Witness Two (PW2).
After taking his oath, Kwayil told the court that the bank received a letter from the EFCC in 2025 requesting documents relating to Meethaq Hotels Limited, including a forwarding letter, certificate of compliance, account opening package and statement of account of the company with account number 0179011105.
When asked if he could recognise the documents, the witness confirmed that he could identify them, adding that the letter was dated December 23, 2025, on a Union Bank letterhead.
Okutepa then sought to tender the documents as evidence.
Responding, defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, said he had no objection for the time being but reserved the right to raise one if necessary.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the documents in evidence and marked them as Exhibit B series.
Led further in evidence, the witness was asked to refer to page 37 of the statement of account.
According to him, on February 5, 2024, there was a payment of N14 million by instant transfer to Abubakar Malami on the order of Meethaq Hotels Limited.
He further stated that on March 4, 2024, there was another transfer of N24 million in favour of Abubakar Malami from Meethaq Hotels Limited.
The prosecution then called Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, as Prosecution Witness Three (PW3).
Egoro told the court that in 2025, the bank received a request from the EFCC for documents relating to Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Nigeria Limited with account number 1383843226, and Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative with account number 0828310158.
He said the documents included forwarding letters, certificates of identification, account opening documents, loan offer letter, memorandum of acceptance and statements of account.
With no re-examination from the prosecution, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till April 20, 2026 for continuation of trial.
