Malami: N8.7bn money laundering trial stalled over lawyer’s absence

The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charges was stalled on Friday due to the absence of his counsel in court.

The case, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, could not proceed after Malami’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), failed to appear for the continuation of the trial.

Malami is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his wife, Hajiya Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz, on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.

Although the prosecution counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), and the defendants were present in court, proceedings were adjourned after it was revealed that Daudu had written to the court requesting a new date.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of the trial.

During earlier proceedings, prosecution witnesses reportedly told the court that millions of naira were traced to companies allegedly linked to Malami, his wife and son.

The former AGF and his co-defendants had pleaded not guilty after being re-arraigned in February.

The court had earlier granted them bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum, alongside other conditions, including the submission of international passports and property documents located in Abuja.

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