The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will on Tuesday arraign a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the planned arraignment in a telephone interview with The PUNCH late on Monday.
“Yes, Malami will be arraigned tomorrow before Justice Emeka Nwite,” Oyewale said.
Malami, who served for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 16-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency.
Also listed as defendants are his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and another individual.
According to the charge, the EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira.
The commission further alleged that the offences involved the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of large sums of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.
Some of the alleged offences, the EFCC said, were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Malami and the other defendants are expected to enter their pleas when the matter comes up for arraignment on Tuesday.
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