RismadarVoice Reporters
May 22, 2026
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Friday adjourned the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, until June 23, 2026.
Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants laundered a total sum of N8,713,923,759.49 in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At Friday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of the hearing but that the defence had written to seek an adjournment.
According to him, the prosecution received a letter dated May 20, 2026, from the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co., addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, requesting that the case be shifted.
“We wanted to oppose the application but we don’t want to stall the proceedings,” Okutepa said.
The senior lawyer, however, urged the court to note the number of adjournments already sought by the defence.
“We are not opposing but we want my lord to note that the defendants have applied for adjournment once, meaning they have four adjournments left,” he added.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution that the absence of the lead defence counsel should ordinarily not prevent the matter from proceeding, especially given the number of lawyers in the defence team.
“I do concur with you, learned senior counsel, that the defence counsel indeed has so many lawyers in his chambers. There is no reason to stall proceedings today,” the judge held.
She, however, granted the request for adjournment, noting that the defence was still within the allowable number of adjournments.
The case was subsequently adjourned till June 23, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
