Malami trial: Judge warns lawyers against seeking favours

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has warned lawyers appearing in the trial of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two others, not to approach the court or the judge for favours.

The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, issued the warning on Wednesday, stressing that his calm disposition should not be misconstrued as weakness.

Justice Nwite cautioned both counsel and litigants against any form of undue familiarity, insisting that justice would be administered strictly in line with the law.

He said: “All judges are not the same. Regardless of my familiarity with any of you, when I am handling a case, do not approach me.

“The best thing you can do for your clients is to engage competent lawyers. The law cannot be bent in this court.”

The judge also warned against attempts to tarnish his reputation, vowing to resist and deal decisively with any such action.

“Any attempt to rubbish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned,” he declared.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering amounting to N8.71 billion.

The defendants are facing a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the charge sheet, Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025.

In another count, the family is accused of conspiring to disguise N1.05 billion transferred through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Limited between November 2022 and September 2024.

The EFCC further alleged that between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son took indirect control of N1.36 billion domiciled in the same account, funds they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Earlier, the court granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means.