The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, today, Tuesday, December 30, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences.

Malami will be arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, a company linked to the former minister. The defendants are expected to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the former Attorney-General has been under investigation at the EFCC office since December 8.

The anti-graft agency alleged in the charge that the defendants carried out multiple suspicious financial transactions and attempted to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions spread across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states.

The EFCC stated that the alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025, a period that covers the eight years Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The commission accused Malami, his son and Asabe of conspiring to disguise the origin of funds, acquire properties indirectly and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activities, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011, as amended, and 2022.

In count one, the EFCC alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the sum of N1,014,848,500 in a Sterling Bank account, knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Count two alleged that between September 2020 and February 2021, the former minister and his son concealed N600,013,460.40 through the same company.

In count three, the commission alleged that in March 2021, Malami and his son retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd from Sterling Bank, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were illicit.

Count four alleged that in November 2022, Malami, his son and Asabe disguised N500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex located in Maitama, Abuja.

In count five, the EFCC claimed that between November 2022 and September 2024, the trio conspired to conceal N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd’s Union Bank account.

Count six accused Malami and his son of taking control of N1,362,887,872.96 from the same account between November 2022 and October 2025, while allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

In count seven, the commission alleged that between November and December 2018, Malami and Asabe concealed N700 million used to purchase No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja, through Hamonia Hotels Ltd.

Count eight stated that between September and December 2020, Malami, his son and Asabe concealed N850 million to acquire a property in the Jabi District of Abuja through Meethaq Hotels Ltd.

In count nine, the EFCC alleged that in February 2018, Malami and Hajia Bashir acquired No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, for N430 million, with the funds allegedly sourced from unlawful activities.

Count 10 alleged that in February 2018, the pair concealed N210 million used to purchase a property in the Asokoro District of Abuja.

In count 11, the commission alleged that between March and June 2021, Malami and Hajia Bashir concealed N325 million used to acquire No. 1241B, Asokoro District, Abuja.

Count 12 stated that between November 2015 and January 2016, the duo concealed N120 million used to purchase No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

In count 13, the EFCC alleged that in November 2022, the former Attorney-General, his son and Asabe conspired to hide funds used to acquire a luxury duplex located on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Count 14 alleged that between December 2016 and April 2022, Malami, Asabe and others “conspired to acquire additional properties” for Malami using proceeds of unlawful activity.

In count 15, the EFCC alleged that between June 2023 and January 2023, Malami concealed “N537 million used to purchase multiple properties across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.”

Count 16 alleged that between October 2018 and December 2021, Malami concealed “N415 million used to acquire several properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano.”

The EFCC stated that it plans to call several witnesses during the trial, including its staff members, bank officials, Bureau de Change operators and other financial experts.

Among the key witnesses listed by the prosecution are Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya, Sani Lukeman, Abdulrahman Musa Basheer, Jamilu Mohammed, as well as representatives of Zenith Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc.

The commission said Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how the EFCC received intelligence reports and petitions alleging monumental corruption against the former Attorney-General.

Abdulrahman Musa Basheer is expected to provide evidence on the role of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd in the alleged acquisition of properties for Malami.