Money laundering: EFCC files 16 charges against Malami,

From Godwin Tsa Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has finally filed a 16-count charge against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), bordering on money laundering, concealment, and unlawful acquisition of proceeds of illegal activity before the Abuja division of Federal High Court.

Malami, who served as AGF throughout former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year administration from 2015 to 2023, will be tried alongside an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Malami, who are listed as the first, second, and third defendants in the case.

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is linked to ownership of 41 properties across Kebbi, Kano, and Abuja, with a combined estimated value of N212.89 billion.

The properties, which include:hotels, schools, factories, and residences, were part of EFCC searches conducted at his homes and offices in Abuja and Kebbi State on December 17.

The properties in Kebbi state are valued at N162,195,950,000, while the assets in Kano state ,worth N16,011,800,000, and the value of the FCT properties was put at N34,685,000,000.

They include: Rayhaan University Permanent Site: N56,000,000,000.00; Rayhaan University temporary site: N37,800,000,000.00; Rayhaan University Third Site: N2,450,000,000.00; Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor House: N490,000,000.00; Rayhaan Model Academy; N11,200,000,000.00; Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School N8,750,000,000.00 and ; Malami House GRA (N350,000,000.00).

Others include: Malami House, behind Mobil (N490,000,000.00); Malami residence behind Cemetery (N350,000,000.00)Abdul-aziz (First son house) ( N1,659,000,000.00); Ahbiru (second son house) (N2,989,000,000.00); Malami Support Organization Building ADC (N210,000,000.00); Kadi Malami Foundation Building ( N56,000,000.00); Rayhaan Security House (N245,700,000.00) and uncompleted 3 storey complex (N665,000,000.00) among several others.

Total valuation of his properties in Abuja, estimated at N34, 6850, 000,000.00 include :Duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama: N5,950,000,000.00; Meethaq Hotel (Jabi Branch): N8,400,000,000.00; Meethaq Hotel (Maitama Branch): N12,950,000,000.00; 42 Units of Bungalow at Efab Estate: N385,000,000.00 and Harmonia Hotels, Area 11 Garki: N7,000,000,000.00.

His properties in Kano State valued at N16,011,800,000.00; includes:Zeennoor Hotel: (N11,200,000,000.00); Zeennoor Mosque(N84,000,000.00); Zeennor Old Hotel Building (N280,000,000.00); Rayhaan Hotel Kano (N2,240,000,000.00); Rayhaan Gym Kano (N1,225,000,000.00) and Wife’s House (Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano) (N982,800,000.00).The EFCC accused the defendants of engaging in multiple transactions, between 2015 and 2025, intended to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.