The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering against a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Bashir Asabe.
The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, allege that Malami laundered about ₦9 billion through proxies and corporate entities to acquire high-value properties in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations.
According to the charge sheet—the first in a series of three—the former AGF is being asked to account for about 30 houses valued at ₦212.8 billion, most of which were allegedly acquired during his eight-year tenure in office between 2015 and 2023.
The EFCC disclosed that it may invoke the Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture provision of its Establishment Act to seize some of the properties. The commission said it has a 14-day window to invite interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The prosecution alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and other companies to conceal the illicit origin of funds running into billions of naira through multiple bank accounts, including those domiciled with Sterling Bank Plc and Union Bank Plc.
The charges further accused the defendants of using the laundered funds to purchase luxury properties in choice locations such as Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Garki, Gwarimpa, and Kano GRA, as well as hotels and landed properties in Kebbi State.
Among the properties listed in the charge sheet are:
A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, valued at ₦500 million;
Hotels and residential buildings in Jabi, Garki, and Maitama;
Multiple plots of land and commercial properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.
The EFCC also alleged conspiracy among the defendants to disguise the origin of funds used for the acquisitions, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
The offences are punishable under various sections of the relevant laws.
No date has yet been fixed for the arraignment of the defendants.