By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has initiated a high-profile criminal prosecution against the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, centers on allegations of laundering and concealing funds of unlawful origin totaling over ₦1.014 billion.
The 16-count charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, also names Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, as a co-defendant. The prosecution alleges that between 2020 and 2025, the defendants utilized various corporate fronts and luxury real estate acquisitions to disguise the proceeds of illegal activities.
A central component of the government’s case involves Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited. The prosecution claims that the Malami family used the company to conceal the movement of ₦1.014 billion through a Sterling Bank account. In one specific instance, the government alleges that ₦600 million was retained as “cash collateral” for a loan granted to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite the defendants reportedly knowing the funds were derived from unlawful activity.
The charges also detail a series of high-end property acquisitions in Abuja and Kano, allegedly purchased with laundered funds during Malami’s tenure as the nation’s chief law officer. Notable properties mentioned in the charge sheet include:
- A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama District, purchased for ₦500 million.
- Hamonia Hotels Ltd (No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki), acquired for ₦700 million.
- Meethaq Hotels Ltd properties in Jabi and Maitama, with combined values exceeding ₦1.2 billion.
- Additional holdings in Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi-Jeba Road.
The federal government asserts that these actions violate Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act. Earlier offenses cited in the charge fall under the 2011 Money Laundering Prohibition Act as amended in 2012.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under the Buhari administration, has consistently denied allegations of corruption. However, this formal charge marks a significant escalation in the post-office scrutiny of the former minister.
In a separate but related development, Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal High Court granted Malami interim bail pending the determination of a substantive motion. As part of his bail conditions, Malami was required to surrender his international passport and provide two high-profile sureties: the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council and a serving member of the House of Representatives.
The case has been adjourned to January 5, 2026, where the motion on notice will be heard before Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji. The outcome of this trial is expected to serve as a landmark test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption legal framework and the accountability of senior public officials.