The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed criminal charges against the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over alleged large-scale money laundering involving high-value properties.
According to reports by The Nation, Malami is facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Bashir Asabe.
The charges were instituted under Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), which is punishable under Section 15(3) of the same law.
In one of three charge series filed by the EFCC, Malami was accused of laundering approximately ₦9 billion allegedly used to acquire prime properties across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations. The former Attorney-General is also expected to account for about 30 houses with a combined estimated value of ₦212.8 billion.
Investigators allege that most of the properties were acquired during Malami’s eight-year tenure in office under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sources disclosed that the EFCC may activate provisions of its Establishment Act on Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture to temporarily seize some of the disputed properties. The commission is expected to issue a 14-day notice inviting interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The anti-graft agency is currently awaiting a hearing date from the Federal High Court in Abuja for the commencement of trial. The charge sheet was dated December 23, 2025.
Described by observers as one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent times, the prosecution team is being led by senior advocates Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekene Iheanacho (SAN), alongside 14 other lawyers. At least 10 witnesses have already been listed in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Court documents further revealed that Malami allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited as a conduit to conceal the origin of illicit funds.
One of the charges alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son procured the company to disguise the unlawful origin of over ₦1.01 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank account, an amount investigators believe to be proceeds of illegal activities.
Another count accused the duo of concealing ₦600 million between September 2020 and February 2021 through the same bank account, while a separate allegation claimed that ₦600 million was retained as cash collateral for a ₦500 million loan granted to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite the funds allegedly originating from unlawful sources.
The EFCC further alleged that in November 2022, Malami, his son, and Hajia Bashir Asabe indirectly disguised ₦500 million paid to Efab Properties Ltd for the purchase of a luxury duplex located on Amazon Street, Plot 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja.
The commission maintains that the funds used in the transactions were proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of multiple provisions of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
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