By Rachel Akper

Compliance officers from several commercial banks on Monday testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the ongoing ₦8.7 billion alleged fraud trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside members of his family.

The witnesses appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik as part of the prosecution’s case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has filed a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, conspiracy, and concealment of illicit funds.

During the proceedings, a compliance officer from a commercial bank told the court that the EFCC requested account opening documents and transaction records linked to a company, Meethaq Hotels Limited, allegedly associated with the defendants.

The witness stated that the records showed multiple transactions, including transfers running into millions of naira.

The officer further testified that one of the defendants, identified as Malami’s wife, was the sole signatory to the company’s account.

Another prosecution witness, also a bank compliance officer, presented financial documents linked to companies and organisations allegedly connected to the defendants, including Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Limited, as well as Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative.

According to the witness, one of the accounts recorded inflows exceeding ₦722 million over a four-year period, while another account showed transactions totaling over ₦1.8 billion within five years.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, the witnesses admitted they had no direct knowledge of the purpose of the transactions and were not personally involved in managing the accounts. The defence also challenged the admissibility of some documents tendered in evidence, though the court admitted them and reserved rulings on objections.

The EFCC alleges that the defendants engaged in financial activities designed to disguise the origin of funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful acts. However, Malami has denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence and accusing the anti-graft agency of bias.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.