The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz, on charges bordering on money laundering.
They were re-arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the matter was reassigned to a new trial judge.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) informed the court that the case was slated for the defendants’ re-arraignment.
“The matter is coming before your lordship this morning for the very first time. I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken,” he said.
Okutepa also sought the court’s leave to amend the sums in Counts 11 and 12, requesting that they be corrected to ₦325 million instead of ₦325 billion for Count 11, and ₦120 million instead of ₦120 billion for Count 12.
With no objection from defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN), Justice Abdulmalik granted the oral application.
The defendants subsequently pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against them by the anti-graft agency.
Earlier, Justice Obiora Egwuatu had withdrawn from the case on 12 February shortly after the EFCC’s civil action was assigned to him.
The matter was previously handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided as vacation judge during the Christmas and New Year period. After the court vacation, the Chief Judge reassigned the case to Justice Egwuatu, who later recused himself, leading to its reassignment to Justice Abdulmalik.
Malami, his wife and son were initially arraigned before Justice Nwite on 30 December 2025. Malami and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe was held at Suleja Correctional Centre.
They were granted bail on 7 January in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties apiece in like sum.