Alleged N8.7bn Money Laundering: Malami’s trial adjourned to June

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Friday adjourned the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, till June 23, 2026.

The defendants are facing a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly conspiring to launder N8,713,923,759.49 in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At Friday’s resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that while the matter was scheduled for continuation, the defence had applied for an adjournment via a letter from the law firm of J.B. Daudu & Co., dated May 20, 2026.

Okutepa noted that although the prosecution considered opposing the adjournment, they chose not to stall proceedings. He urged the court to note the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants. “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 said.

Justice Abdulmalik, in her ruling, agreed that the absence of the lead defence counsel should not ordinarily halt proceedings, given the number of lawyers in his chambers. She granted the adjournment, emphasizing that the defendants still had room for future adjournments.

The trial will now continue on June 23, 2026, at the instance of the senior defence counsel