The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, on alleged money laundering charges before the Federal High Court.
The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following the re-assignment of the case to a new trial judge.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), told the court that the matter was coming up before Justice Abdulmalik for the first time and requested that the pleas of the defendants be taken.
“The matter is coming before your lordship this morning for the very first time. I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken,” Okutepa said.
The prosecution also sought the court’s permission to correct figures in two counts of the charge. Okutepa asked that the amount in Count 11 be amended to ₦325 million instead of ₦325 billion, and Count 12 to ₦120 million instead of ₦120 billion.
With no objection from defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Justice Abdulmalik granted the oral application.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge bordering on money laundering preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.
The case has seen multiple judicial reassignments. Justice Obiora Egwuatu withdrew from the matter after a related civil suit filed by the EFCC was brought before him. The case was earlier handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided as a vacation judge during the Christmas and New Year court break.
Following the vacation, the Chief Judge reassigned the case to Justice Egwuatu, who later recused himself, leading to its eventual transfer to Justice Abdulmalik.
Malami, his wife, and son were initially arraigned before Justice Nwite late last year. While Malami and Abdulaziz were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Asabe Bashir was held at the Suleja Correctional Centre. They were subsequently granted bail last month in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
