The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his wife Asabe Rakiya Bashir and son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, resumed on Monday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with prosecution witnesses presenting bank records allegedly linking the defendants to several financial transactions.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the trio on an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, concealment and disguising proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.
The case is being heard before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Union Bank Compliance Officer Testifies
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel J.S. Okutepa, SAN, presented Daniel Simon Kwayil, a compliance officer with Union Bank, as the second prosecution witness (PW2).
Kwayil told the court that the bank received a request from the EFCC in December 2025 seeking documents relating to Meethaq Hotels Limited, including the company’s account opening documents, certificate of compliance, and statement of account.
The witness identified the documents and confirmed they were forwarded to the anti-graft agency in response to its request.
Justice Abdulmalik admitted the documents in evidence and marked them Exhibit B series, after defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, indicated he had no immediate objection but reserved the right to challenge them later.
Transfers to Malami and His Law Firm
While explaining the statement of account, Kwayil pointed to several transactions involving transfers from Meethaq Hotels Limited.
He told the court that:
– N14 million was transferred to Abubakar Malami on February 5, 2024
– N24 million was transferred to Malami on March 4, 2024
– N24 million was transferred to A.A. Malami & Co on February 3, 2024
– N12.5 million was transferred to A.A. Malami on May 3, 2024
The witness further testified that Asabe Rakiya Bashir, the second defendant, was the sole signatory to the Meethaq Hotels Limited account.
He said her identification documents and the company’s board resolution confirming her as signatory were contained in the account opening documents submitted to the EFCC.
Account Inflows Presented in Court
The witness also identified several inflows into the company’s account between 2022 and 2023, including deposits from YMB Energy Limited and other sources.
Among the transactions highlighted were:
– Two deposits of N10 million each from YMB Energy Limited on November 28, 2022
– N43.1 million and N4.65 million credited on January 10, 2023
– N25.48 million received on February 12, 2023
Under cross-examination, the witness told the court he was not the relationship manager for the account and could not determine whether the transactions were commercial in nature.
“I don’t know because I’m not a party and I don’t know the purpose of the transaction,” he said.
Access Bank Officer Presents Loan Documents
The prosecution also called Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, as the third prosecution witness (PW3).
Egoro testified that the bank received EFCC requests for documents relating to Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Nigeria Limited and Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative.
Despite an objection from the defence regarding the witness statement, the court admitted the documents as Exhibits C1 and C2.
N400 Million Loan to Company Linked to Malami’s Son
According to Egoro, Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Nigeria Limited, which had Abdulaziz Malami as its sole signatory, received a N400 million loan facility from Access Bank on October 9, 2020.
He said the loan was fully repaid on July 14, 2022.
The witness further testified that on November 10, 2020, multiple transfers were made from the account to New Horizon Limited, including:
N100 million
N10.57 million
Five separate transfers of N20 million each
He added that the bank deducted N4 million as management fee and N300,000 as VAT from the loan disbursement.
NGO Account Received N722 Million
Egoro also testified regarding the account of Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative, whose signatories include Abdulkadir Malami, Usman Gotomo Abubakar and Faruku Abubakar.
According to him, the account received deposits from various individuals and companies between 2019 and 2023.
He told the court that the total lodgment into the account within the period was N722,986,603.75, while the Rayhaan Bustan account received N1,857,978,100 between 2020 and 2025.
Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed that he was invited to testify through his bank and not by subpoena.
He also told the court he was not aware of the purpose of the transactions reflected in the accounts.
Trial Adjourned
Following the testimonies, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until April 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
