‘I am unapproachable’ – Judge instructs Counsel during Malami trial

On Wednesday, January 7, 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, cautioned the lawyers involved in the trial of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, to refrain from seeking favors from him, emphasizing that his kindness should not be exploited.

He stated, “I want to advise and remind lawyers and litigants to recognize the nature of this court. Not all judges are alike. Regardless of any prior familiarity, do not approach me when I am presiding over a case. The best course of action for your clients is to engage the top legal professionals in the country. This court does not tolerate bending the law. I urge all litigants and attorneys appearing here to understand the court’s procedures. Remember, being forewarned is being forearmed. Any attempt to damage my reputation will be firmly resisted. I have warned, I have warned, and I have warned!”

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Malami, along with his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, for alleged money laundering activities involving ₦8,713,923,759.49 (Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo).

The defendants face a 16-count indictment related to conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of proceeds from illegal activities, violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count one states: “You, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, between July 2022 and June 2025, in Abuja, engaged Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide the illicit source of ₦1,014,848,500.00 (One Billion, Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) in a Sterling Bank Plc account, fully aware that the sum was derived from unlawful activities, violating Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”

Count five claims: “You, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, conspired in September 2024, in Abuja, to conceal the illegal origin of a total of ₦1,049,173,926.13 (One Billion, Forty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira, Thirteen Kobo) transferred through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Limited from November 2022 to September 2024, contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering Act, punishable under Sections 18(2)(a) and 18(3) of the same Act.”

Count six details: “You, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, indirectly controlled ₦1,362,887,872.96 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira, Ninety-Six Kobo) between November 2022 and October 2025, through the Union Bank Plc savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, knowing it was the result of illegal activities, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering Act, 2022.”

Earlier, the judge granted bail to Malami, his wife, and son, setting the amount at ₦500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) each, along with two sureties at the same value who must provide an affidavit of means.