The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, over alleged money laundering offences.
The trio appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court following the reassignment of the case to a new trial judge.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was coming up for the first time before Justice Abdulmalik and requested that the defendants’ pleas be taken.
He also sought leave to correct what he described as clerical errors in Counts 11 and 12 of the charge—adjusting the amounts from ₦325 billion to ₦325 million in Count 11, and from ₦120 billion to ₦120 million in Count 12.
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), did not oppose the application, and the court granted the request.
Malami, his wife, and son subsequently pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering brought against them by the anti-graft agency.
The case has witnessed a series of judicial reassignments. Justice Obiora Egwuatu had earlier withdrawn from the matter on February 12 after it was reassigned to him.
The case was initially handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over it as a vacation judge during the Christmas and New Year break before it was transferred.
Malami and his son were first arraigned before Justice Nwite on December 30, 2025. Following their initial appearance, they were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir was held at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
On January 7, the court admitted each of them to bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties each in like sum.
The trial is expected to proceed under Justice Abdulmalik as the EFCC presses ahead with prosecution of the high-profile case.
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