Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), appeared in a federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday, arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, over allegations of money laundering.
The three defendants faced a 16-count charge before Justice Emeka Nwite, and all pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malami and his co-defendants allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited between July 2022 and June 2025 to conceal the unlawful origin of funds totaling over N1 billion.
Additional charges include alleged transactions through bank accounts and property acquisitions intended to disguise the source of illegal funds.
The charge sheet, filed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2011 and 2022, alleges multiple instances of unlawful activity, including:
Procuring Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal N1,014,848,500 and N600,013,460.40 in various bank accounts.
Using the company to disguise N500 million paid for a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot 3011, Maitama District, Abuja.
Conspiring to launder N1,049,173,926.13 paid through Union Bank Plc accounts of Meethaq Hotels Ltd between November 2022 and September 2024.
Taking control of N1,362,887,872.96 through Meethaq Hotels Ltd accounts between November 2022 and October 2025.
Concealing N700 million paid for the purchase of No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd) between November and December 2018.
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Indirectly concealing N850 million used to acquire property at Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04 (Meethaq Hotels Ltd) between September and December 2020.
The EFCC alleges that the offences were committed while Malami held office as the Attorney-General of the Federation and that the defendants knowingly engaged in transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities.
In addition to the charges, the federal government has reportedly identified properties worth N212 billion allegedly linked to the former AGF.
The court proceedings have been adjourned as investigations continue. The EFCC has promised to provide updates as the case develops.