The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, until June 23, 2026.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Maitama Division granted the adjournment on Friday after the defence team requested more time, despite objections from the prosecution over repeated delays in the case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting the trio on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, procurement and laundering of alleged illicit funds amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, told the court that the matter was slated for continuation of trial but that the defence had written to seek an adjournment.
Okutepa said although the prosecution initially considered opposing the request, it chose not to in order to avoid delaying proceedings further.
He, however, urged the court to note the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants, stressing that the defence had now used one out of the five adjournments allowed by the court.
In a sharp remark, Justice Abdulmalik agreed that the absence of the lead defence counsel should ordinarily not halt proceedings, especially given the number of lawyers available in the defence chambers.
“There is no reason to stall proceedings today,” the judge ruled, adding however that the court would still grant the application since the defence remained within the allowable number of adjournments.
The high-profile trial was subsequently adjourned to June 23, 2026 for continuation of hearing.
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