COURT ADJOURNS MALAMI, WIFE, SON’S N8.7BN MONEY LAUNDERING TRIAL TO JUNE 23

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned until June 23, 2026, the continuation of trial in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, and laundering of alleged proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.

The charges are said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was fixed for continuation of trial but that the defence had applied for an adjournment.

Okutepa told the court that the prosecution had received a letter from the defence seeking a delay in proceedings, adding that while they did not oppose the application, they objected to further delays in the case.

“We are not opposing, but we want my lord to note that the defendants have applied for adjournment once,” he said.

He also urged the court to take note of the number of adjournments already granted to the defence.

In her ruling, trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, noted that although the lead defence counsel was absent, proceedings should not ordinarily be stalled given the presence of several lawyers within his chambers.

“I do concur with you, learned senior counsel, that the defence counsel indeed has so many lawyers in his chambers. There is no reason to stall proceedings today,” she said.

However, the court granted the adjournment, noting that the defence still had room for additional requests within the allowed limit.

The matter was consequently adjourned to June 23, 2026, for continuation of trial.