Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced 41 properties valued at ₦212 billion to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
EFCC
TheCable reports that the assets, which include hotels, residential buildings, schools, lands, a printing press, and other commercial ventures, are located across Kebbi, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to EFCC investigators, the properties in Kebbi State are valued at ₦162.2 billion, those in Kano at ₦16 billion, while assets in the FCT are worth ₦34.7 billion.
The Federal Government has subsequently filed a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering against Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.
The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, allege offences contrary to Sections 15, 18, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
EFCC prosecutors claim that Malami and his son concealed and laundered ₦1.014 billion through companies including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited. A third defendant, Bashir Asabe, is also listed in the charge sheet.
The case is expected to test Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework, given Malami’s former role as the nation’s chief law officer.
If convicted, the defendants face asset forfeiture and possible imprisonment.
Civil society groups have described the development as one of the largest asset-tracing operations against a former government official in recent years.
Analysts say the case underscores the need for stronger institutional safeguards to prevent abuse of office.
The EFCC has assured Nigerians that due process will be followed and that the matter will be prosecuted to its logical conclusion.
