The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, continued on Monday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
A prosecution witness told the court that bank records show several transfers linked to Malami and members of his family.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Asabe Rakiya Bashir, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.
Prosecutors accuse them of laundering N8,713,923,759.49 through a series of financial transactions. The charges were filed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Bank Officer Testifies
During the hearing, prosecution counsel J. S. Okutepa called a compliance officer with Union Bank of Nigeria, Daniel Simon Kwayil, as the second prosecution witness.
Kwayil told the court that the EFCC asked the bank in 2025 to provide documents related to the account of Meethaq Hotels Limited.
According to him, the bank submitted the account opening documents, certificate of compliance and statement of account.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the documents in evidence as Exhibit B series after defence counsel J. B. Daudu said he had no objection at that stage.
Transfers Linked to Malami
The witness then reviewed the company’s account statement in court.
He said the account transferred N14 million to Abubakar Malami on February 5, 2024.
Another N24 million was transferred to Malami on March 4, 2024, he added.
Kwayil also said the account transferred N24 million to A.A. Malami and Co on February 3, 2024.
The account later transferred N12.5 million to A.A. Malami on May 3, 2024, according to the witness.
Wife Named Sole Signatory
Kwayil told the court that Asabe Rakiya Bashir controls the account of Meethaq Hotels Limited.
He explained that company documents show she is the sole signatory to the account.
The witness also confirmed that her identification card appears in the account opening records.
Deposits into the Account
The witness also listed several deposits into the company’s account between 2022 and 2023.
He said the account received N1.74 million and N21.2 million on November 3, 2022.
It also received two transfers of N10 million each from YMB Energy Limited on November 28, 2022.
Other deposits include N4.56 million and N4.82 million in December 2022.
On January 10, 2023, the account received N43.17 million and N4.65 million, the witness added.
Justice Abdulmalik later adjourned the case for continuation of the hearing.
