A high-profile former Nigerian minister has been sent to prison on remand after appearing in court to face multi-billion naira money laundering charges.
Abubakar Malami, who served as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the previous administration, appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that Mr Malami be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre alongside two co-defendants—his son, also named Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe.
They will remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.
‘Billions disguised’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought a 16-count charge against the trio.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants conspired to “conceal, retain, and disguise” the proceeds of unlawful activities totaling several billions of naira. The commission claims the alleged offences took place over several years and involved:
- High-value properties: The acquisition of luxury real estate in the capital, Abuja, as well as in Kano and other locations.
- Corporate laundering: The use of shell companies and various bank accounts to move illicit funds.
- Loan collateral: The alleged use of cash proceeds from crime as security for bank loans.
Breach of trust
Crucially, the EFCC alleges that some of these offences were committed while Mr Malami was still serving as the country’s chief law officer.
The prosecution argues this represents a significant breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was one of the most powerful figures in the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari, serving as Attorney-General for eight years until 2023.
Defence lawyers, led by Joseph Daudu, argued for the defendants to be granted bail, but the judge ruled they must stay in prison until the application is formally heard.
Anti-corruption drive
The remand of such a high-ranking former official is seen as a major move in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to tackle institutional corruption.
It comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu appointed a new Director of Public Prosecutions as part of a wider shake-up of the country’s legal and anti-graft agencies.
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