Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted nine documentary exhibits in the ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.
The exhibits were tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of its prosecution of the former minister and his family members over an alleged ₦8.7 billion fraud.
The defendants are facing an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The documents were presented through the fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc. Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, J. S. Okutepa (SAN), the witness told the court that he received a formal request from the EFCC for records linked to accounts associated with the defendants and related entities.
Bata stated that the bank complied by providing both electronic and physical copies of documents tied to accounts belonging to the defendants and companies including Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited, Nashab Limited, Golden Age Global Ventures, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
Despite initial objections from defence counsel, J. B. Daudu (SAN), the court admitted the documents—dated between July 19, 2024, and March 12, 2026—as Exhibits D1 to D9.
During further examination by prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), the witness gave additional insights into the transactions contained in the exhibits.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until May 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
