Money Laundering: Court Orders Remand of Ex-AGF Malami, Son, Wife in Kuje
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son and one of his wives, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the remand order after hearing arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami, his son, Abubakar Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the offences spanned several years and involved the use of companies and multiple bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of large sums of cash as collateral for loans, as well as the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations across the country.
The Commission further alleged that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to a later date for the hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
