THE Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned until June 23, 2026, for the continuation of trial in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.
News Point Nigeria reports that the trio are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.
The charges were filed under the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court at the resumed sitting that the matter was scheduled for continuation of hearing, but the prosecution had been served with a letter from the defence seeking an adjournment.
“This matter is slated today for continuation of the hearing. We were served with a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court on the 20th of May, 2026, by the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co. 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 take note of the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants.
“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 Joyce Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution’s position, observing that the absence of the lead defence counsel should not ordinarily halt proceedings, particularly given the number of lawyers available in his chambers.
“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. Be that as it may, since they have room for five adjournments, we will grant them this one,” the judge ruled.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 23, 2026, for continuation of trial at the instance of the senior defence counsel.
