Fresh details have emerged in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as a prosecution witness told a Federal High Court in Abuja how funds were allegedly moved through a hotel account linked to the defendants.
According to reports from court proceedings on Monday, a bank compliance officer, Daniel Simon Kwayil, testified before the court that multiple transfers were made to Malami from the account of Meethaq Hotels Limited.
Kwayil disclosed that the account had a single authorised signatory—Malami’s wife, Hajia Asabe Rakiya Bashir—through which the transactions were executed.
Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023, is standing trial alongside his wife and son on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged laundering of public funds.
While giving evidence, the witness highlighted specific transactions, stating that bank records showed a transfer of ₦14 million to Malami on February 5, 2024, followed by another ₦24 million on March 4, 2024. He added that a similar amount had earlier been transferred from the same account to Malami’s law firm.
The court also heard that an additional ₦12.5 million was traced to Malami on May 3, 2024, based on financial documents presented as exhibits.
Prosecutors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allege that the defendants used a network of companies and bank accounts to conceal funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The prosecution further claims that properties were acquired in Abuja, Kebbi and Kano as part of the alleged scheme.
Investigators also told the court that significant sums passed through accounts linked to businesses associated with the family, with one account reportedly recording over ₦1.85 billion in lodgements between 2020 and 2025.
During the proceedings, the defence challenged aspects of the evidence presented. However, the trial judge ruled that the witness could testify, noting that the defence would have the opportunity to cross-examine him.
The case was adjourned to April 20 for continuation of hearing, with more witnesses expected to testify in what observers describe as one of the country’s most closely followed corruption trials.
