Alleged N8.7bn fraud: Court adjourns Malami’s trial to June 23

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned till June 23, 2026, the continuation of trial in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

The trio are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of trial but that the defence had filed a letter seeking adjournment.

He noted that although the prosecution was not opposing the application, it was important for the court to take cognisance of previous adjournments granted at the instance of the defence.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that while the absence of lead defence counsel was noted, it should not ordinarily stall proceedings, especially as other lawyers from the chambers were available to proceed with the case.

The judge, however, granted the adjournment in the interest of fair hearing, noting that the defence still had remaining adjournment allowances.

The case was thereafter adjourned till June 23, 2026, for continuation of trial.