Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, yesterday, admitted nine exhibits against a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

The exhibits were presented before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in its ongoing trial of the former minister and some family members.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the defendants on an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities to the tune of N8.7 billion contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The documentary exhibits were tendered through the fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank Plc.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, J. S. Okutepa (SAN), the witness told the court that, in the course of his official duties, he received a correspondence from the EFCC requesting documents relating to several accounts linked to the defendants and associated entities.

Bata further disclosed that the bank complied with EFCC’s requests by providing both soft and hard copies of documents relating to accounts belonging to the defendants and companies such as Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited, Nashab Limited, Golden Age Global Ventures, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.

Upon application by Okutepa, the court admitted the documents, dated between July 19, 2024 and March 12, 2026, as Exhibits D1 to D9, despite an initial objection by defence counsel, J. B. Daudu (SAN, who noted that “the dates are almost all in March.”

Continuing his testimony under further examination by prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), the witness provided details of transactions contained in the exhibits.

After entertaining arguments from all parties, Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until May 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial. (Guardian)

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