Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his family’s ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial was stalled on Friday following the absence of his lawyer in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Hajiya Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences amounting to N8.7 billion.
The matter, scheduled for continuation of trial, could not proceed after Malami’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, failed to appear in court.
Although counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, was present alongside the defendants, proceedings were halted due to the absence of the defence lawyer.
It was gathered that Daudu had earlier written to the court requesting an adjournment.
Following the development, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of trial.
During earlier proceedings on March 16, two prosecution witnesses told the court how millions of naira were allegedly paid into company accounts linked to Malami, his wife and son, who are facing a 16-count charge.
The anti-graft agency had opened its case on March 6 by calling its first prosecution witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.
Malami, his wife and son were re-arraigned on February 27 on the money laundering charges but pleaded not guilty.
They were initially remanded in Kuje and Suleja correctional centres before the court later granted them bail.
Justice Abdulmalik admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered that one surety for each defendant must deposit the title deed of a landed property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts with the court registrar.
The defendants were further directed to surrender their international passports pending the determination of the case.
