N8.7bn Money laundering case: Malami gets fresh Court date

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned until June 23, 2026 the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, procuring, disguising and laundering alleged proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.

The charges were filed under the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of trial but disclosed that the prosecution had been served with a letter from the defence seeking an adjournment.

According to Okutepa, the application was conveyed through a letter dated May 20, 2026 from the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co.

“This matter is slated today for continuation of hearing. We were served with a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court on the 20th of May, 2026 by the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co. We wanted to oppose the application but we don’t want to stall the proceedings,” he told the court.

The senior advocate, however, urged the court to note the number of adjournments already sought by the defence team in the course of the trial.

“We are not opposing but we want my lord to note that the defendants have applied for adjournment once, meaning they have four adjournments left,” he added.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution that the absence of the lead defence counsel should ordinarily not prevent proceedings from going on, especially considering the number of lawyers available within the defence 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,” the judge held.

She, however, granted the adjournment request, noting that the defence was still within the allowable number of adjournments permitted by the court.

“Be that as it may, since they have room for five adjournments, we will grant them this one,” Justice Abdulmalik ruled.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 23, 2026 for continuation of trial.