Crime

EFCC arraigns Malami, wife, son over alleged N8.7bn money laundering

Published

7 months ago

December 30, 2025

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alongside Bashir Asabe, his wife and Abubakar Malami, their son, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged money laundering involving N8.7 billion.

The trio appeared before Emeka Nwite (Justice) on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Spokesman on Tuesday, the alleged offences involve a total sum of N8,713,923,759.49, said to have been laundered through a web of corporate entities and bank accounts between 2022 and 2025.

At the commencement of proceedings, Ekele Iheanacho, prosecuting counsel, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment of the defendants on a charge dated December 23, 2025.

“My Lord, this matter is for the arraignment of the defendants on a 16-count charge. We humbly pray that the charge be read to them and their pleas taken,” Iheanacho said.

J.B. Daudu, Counsel to the defendants, did not object, prompting Justice Nwite to order that the charge be read in open court.

“One of the counts alleged that Malami and his son, between July 2022 and June 2025, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of N1.014 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank account, when they reasonably ought to have known that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Another count accused Malami, his wife and son of conspiring in September 2024 to disguise the unlawful origin of N1.049 billion allegedly paid through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, between November 2022 and September 2024.

The charge further alleged that Malami and his son indirectly took control of N1.36 billion paid through the Union Bank savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited between November 2022 and October 2025, knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Iheanacho told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed to trial and requested a trial date. He disclosed that the EFCC had been served with a bail application by the defence a day earlier and asked for time to respond.

In response, defence counsel, Daudu, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants orally, arguing that the offences charged were bailable.

“My Lord, having listened carefully to the 16-count charge, this is a proper case for an oral application for bail,” Daudu said, relying on the decision in Abiola v. FRN. He argued that Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) does not make a written application mandatory.

The prosecution opposed the oral bail application, urging the court to discountenance it.

“My Lord, we oppose the oral application for bail. The case of Abiola v. FRN relied upon by learned silk is inapplicable to the circumstances of this case,” Iheanacho submitted.

He argued that bail applications must be supported by affidavit evidence, stressing that oral submissions by counsel could not substitute for evidence.

“This is a court of record. Submissions of counsel, no matter how brilliant, do not amount to evidence and cannot replace affidavit evidence,” he said, adding that granting bail orally would amount to ambushing the prosecution.

Iheanacho also urged the court to consider public interest, noting that the case involved serious economic crimes and complex financial transactions.

“The charge before this Honourable Court borders on grave economic crimes involving complex financial networks. Public interest must be taken into account, and the high office previously occupied by the first defendant does not entitle him to any preferential treatment,” he argued.

Inwite held that the prosecution must be given an adequate opportunity to respond to the bail application.

“Having listened to the submissions of learned counsel, the prosecution must be allowed sufficient time to respond,” the judge ruled.

He ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, for hearing of the bail application.

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Post Views: 463

Crime

PHOTOS: Two Nigerians sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for armed robbery in Kuwait

Published

1 hour ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery in Kuwait.

The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate arrested the two individuals over alleged involvement in an armed robbery and theft of a currency exchange shop in Mahboula, in January 2025.

The Court of Appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026 upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft.

The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the ruling against members of a Nigerian gang involved in the robbery and theft of the money exchange shop.

The Public Prosecution had charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop, with the second defendant using a fake gun and enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the money with the assistance of the first defendant.

The fifth defendant was charged with participating with the defendants, agreeing to commit the crime, helping them conceal the stolen goods, and supplying them with the money obtained from the robbery and theft.

The Criminal Court had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person, while the remaining defendants were sentenced in absentia.

The court had initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months’ imprisonment after amending the description and charges.

The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Cross River police arrest alleged fake doctor for operating illegal mobile clinic

Published

2 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, “m”aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.

The suspect was arrested by Police officers attached to Uwanse Division ,Calabar South following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money. Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.

Confirming his arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Eitokpah Akata, said state Commissioner of Police, has directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether there are other victims. Akata added that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.

He mentioned that the command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.

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Crime

PHOTOS: NSCDC uncovers alleged fake university, rescues 106 youths in Badagry

Published

2 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News

The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.

The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.

Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.

“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”

Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.

The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.

However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.

The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.