By Miriam Humbe
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, adjourned till June 23, 2026 the alleged N8.7billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s Head, Media & Publicity disclosed this in a statement signed on Friday.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities to the tune of N8,713,923,759.49 (Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo), contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the resumed sitting on Friday, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation of hearing but that the prosecution had been served with a letter seeking adjournment by the defence.
According to him, “This matter is slated today for continuation of hearing. We were served with a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court on the 20th of May, 2026 by the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co. We wanted to oppose the application but we don’t want to stall the proceedings.”
He further urged the court to take note of the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants.
“We are not opposing but we want my lord to note that the defendants have applied for adjournment once, meaning they have four adjournments left,” he said.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the submission of the prosecution, noting that the absence of the lead defence counsel should not ordinarily stall proceedings, especially considering the number of lawyers in his chambers.
“I do concur with you, learned senior counsel, that the defence counsel indeed has so many lawyers in his chambers.
There is no reason to stall proceedings today. Be that as it may, since they have room for five adjournments, we will grant them this one,” the judge held.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till June 23, 2026 for continuation of trial at the instance of the senior defence counsel.
