Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted nine documentary exhibits in the ongoing trial of 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 tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of its prosecution of the former minister and members of his family over an alleged ₦8.7 billion fraud.
The defendants are facing an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The documents were presented through the fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc. While being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), Bata told the court that the bank received a request from the EFCC to provide records linked to accounts associated with the defendants and related companies.
He explained that Zenith Bank complied by submitting both electronic and hard copies of documents connected to accounts belonging to the defendants, as well as firms including Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited, Nashab Limited, Golden Age Global Ventures, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
Despite an initial objection by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), who questioned the dates on the documents, the court admitted them as Exhibits D1 to D9. The documents span from July 19, 2024, to March 12, 2026.
Under further questioning by prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), the witness gave additional insights into the transactions detailed in the exhibits.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
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