Breaking: Court Shifts Malami’s Trial To June 23

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, until June 23, 2026.

According to court proceedings monitored by Ireporter Online, the defendants are facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations bordering on conspiracy, concealment, procurement, disguising, and laundering of unlawful proceeds amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During Friday’s hearing, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of trial but that the prosecution had received a letter from the defence seeking an adjournment. He noted that although the prosecution initially intended to challenge the request, it decided against doing so in order not to delay proceedings further.

Okutepa also urged the court to take note of the number of adjournments already requested by the defence, stating that the defendants had already utilized one adjournment and had four remaining under the allowable limit.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution’s position that the absence of the lead defence counsel should ordinarily not halt proceedings, particularly given the number of lawyers available within the defence team’s chambers. However, the judge stated that since the defence was still within the permissible number of adjournments, the request would be granted.

The court subsequently fixed June 23, 2026, for continuation of the trial.