Alleged N8.7b fraud: New judge takes over Malami, two others’ trial

Malami

The alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving ex-Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two others, and the asset forfeiture case involving him have now been reassigned to a new judge.

Late last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) instituted the money laundering case against Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and a lady said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former minister, Hajia Bashir Asabe.

In the EFCC’s assets forfeiture case against Malami, the agency is targeting about 57 properties the ex-AGF allegedly acquired unlawfully.

Malami, Abdulaziz, and Hajia Asabe were arraigned on December 30, last year, on a 16-count charge before Justice Emeka Nwite, who was then sitting as the vacation judge at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

On January 6, Justice Nwite also heard and granted an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC for the interim forfeiture of the 57 properties Malami allegedly acquired unlawfully.

In line with the court’s tradition, Justice Nwite, at the conclusion of the court’s vacation, returned both cases to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to new judges. Nation