The Federal Government has filed fresh money laundering charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged financial transactions exceeding ₦1 billion.
The 16-count charge, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant, with Hajia Bashir Asabe named as a co-defendant.
According to court documents, investigators traced a total of ₦1,014,848,500 to a Sterling Bank account allegedly linked to the transactions. Prosecutors allege the funds were handled, transferred, and concealed through corporate entities, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, said to have been used to disguise the source and movement of the money.
The charge further alleges that between 2015 and 2025, several properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi States were acquired with illicit funds. The properties reportedly include luxury homes in Maitama, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Jabi, with some transactions said to have occurred while Malami was in office.
One count alleges that between July 2022 and June 2025, the defendants used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of over ₦1.014 billion, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutors also claim bank accounts, hotel businesses, and real estate firms were used to retain, move, or disguise large sums of money, insisting the defendants “reasonably ought to have known” the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has consistently denied past corruption allegations.
In a related matter, the Federal High Court had earlier granted Malami interim bail, ordering him to surrender his passport and meet existing bail conditions. The case has been adjourned to January 5, 2026, for further proceedings.
