N8.7bn Money Laundering: Court Hears How Millions Passed Through Malami-Linked Account

• A Jaiz Bank compliance officer on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja how multi-million-naira transactions flowed through the account of Alkausar Farm, an entity linked to the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, his wife, and his son.

Munawwarah Salisu Anas, the 5th prosecution witness (PW5) in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday, detailed how several high-value transactions passed through the account of Alkausar Farm. Anas, a Compliance Officer with Jaiz Bank Plc, who gave the details during the former Minister’s trial before the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, said some transactions were done with Alkausar Farm’s account, one of the entities linked to the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving Malami. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the trio of Malami; his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe; and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities. The fund, according to the anti-graft agency in its charge sheet, was to the tune of N8.7bn (N8,713,923,759.49), contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The commission alleged that the money laundering schemes were carried out between 2015 and 2025 through multiple bank accounts, corporate entities and high-value property acquisitions. The bulk of the transactions allegedly occurred during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration between 2015 and 2023.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation of trial and called Anas to testify. Led in evidence by Okutepa, the witness told the court that as a compliance officer with Jaiz Bank, her responsibilities include interfacing with law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC. When asked whether she received any correspondence from the EFCC in the course of her duties, she answered in the affirmative and identified a letter from the Commission requesting account-related documents. According to her, the bank responded through a letter dated February 4, 2026, addressed to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC. Okutepa thereafter sought to tender the bank’s response and accompanying documents as evidence. The defence counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, reserved his objection until the final written address. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the documents in evidence and marked them as Exhibit E Series. Explaining the contents of the exhibit, the witness stated, “Page one is the forwarding letter, page two is the certificate of identification, pages three to twenty-five are the account opening documents, while pages twenty-six to thirty are the statement of account of Alkausar Farm”.

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While reviewing the account statement before the court, Anas identified several inflows and outflows in the account that spanned from 2018 to 2020. On June 13, 2018, the account received a cash deposit of N1 million from Hassan Aliyu, and on June 20, 2018, it received another cash deposit of N2.25 million from Aliyu Mohammed. On December 7, 2018, the account received multiple inflows from Kalamu Wahid Global Concept, including transfers of N10 million each on four occasions and an additional transfer of N8 million on the same day. On December 18, 2018, the account recorded a debit transfer of N45.5 million to Donaliv Global Nigeria Limited. Continuing her testimony, Anas stated that the account received N26.25 million from Al-Afiya Energy Limited on July 13, 2020, and another N26.25 million from the same company on July 22, 2020. On July 24, 2020, the account recorded a transfer debit of N50 million to Sahad Stores Limited and another transfer debit of N1 million to Alfagai Jewelry Nigeria Limited. The witness also testified that on August 12, 2020, the account received a transfer credit of N2.03 million, adding that on the same day, a cheque withdrawal of N2.03 million was made by one Aliyu Mohammed Hassan. In total, the transactions detailed before the court amounted to over N200 million passing through the Alkausar Farm account within the period under review.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, the witness confirmed that she did not appear before the court pursuant to a subpoena. When asked whether she knew the purpose of the inflows and outflows reflected in the account statement, she responded, “Yes, we know because we monitor and report to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) if the transactions are suspicious”. During further cross-examination by defence lawyer Mr Adedeji, Anas said she was not the account officer responsible for the account and noted that Jaiz Bank has a chief compliance officer based in Abuja. The witness confirmed that none of the defendants in the case was a signatory to the account and that none of the inflows and outflows reflected in the account records originated from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Between March and April, the prosecution presented its first four witnesses in the case. The first prosecution witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank in Abuja, told the court that Metropolitan Autotech provided the cash collateral that backed the loan facility granted to Rayhaan Hotels Limited. The second prosecution witness, Daniel Kwayil, a compliance officer with Union Bank, tendered copies of the account opening package and statement of account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, noting that the sole signatory is Asabe Rakiya Bashir, Malami’s wife and co-defendant. The fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, testified that funds moved through several entities including Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited, Nashab Limited, Golden Age Global Ventures, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.

Malami, his wife and son were re-arraigned on February 27 over the money laundering charges and pleaded not guilty. They were remanded in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres before their bail application was heard. Justice Abdulmalik, on March 6, admitted them to a N200 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum. The judge ordered that one of the sureties must deposit his or her title deeds of a landed property located at Maitama or Asokoro Districts of Abuja to the registrar of the court, and also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.

Beyond the corruption trial, Malami is facing forfeiture proceedings involving nearly N13 billion worth of assets seized from him as alleged proceeds of unlawful activities. In January 2026, a Federal High Court granted an interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at N213.2 billion linked to Malami and two of his sons. The properties include a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja, valued at N5.95 billion; a two-winged storey building in Area 11, Garki, Abuja, valued at N7 billion; and Meethaq Hotels Ltd in Jabi, Abuja, valued at N8.4 billion, among other assets located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States.

Following the conclusion of cross-examination and in the absence of any re-examination, the witness was discharged. Thereafter, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till July 17, 2026, for continuation of trial. The EFCC is expected to call more witnesses to establish its case against the former Attorney-General and his family members.

N8.7bn Money Laundering: Court Hears How Millions Passed Through Malami-Linked Account

EFCC Vows to Arrest Voters Who Chased Operatives From Ekiti Polling Unit

• The anti-graft agency says the incident at Polling Unit 10, Ward B in Iyin-Ekiti during the 2026 governorship election was an unlawful attack on its mandate and a dangerous precedent that must not be allowed to stand.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is actively tracking voters who confronted and chased away its operatives from a polling unit during the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

Officials of the commission who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday described the action as unlawful and warned that those involved could face legal consequences. The development has sparked concerns within the agency over the safety of its operatives and the ability of law enforcement personnel to effectively monitor compliance with electoral laws.

The incident occurred on Saturday at Polling Unit 10, Ward B, in Iyin-Ekiti, where EFCC operatives had arrived to monitor and curb vote-buying — a common electoral malpractice that has plagued Nigerian elections for years. However, their presence provoked resistance from voters, who confronted the operatives and demanded they leave. A viral video circulating on social media showed angry youths chanting in Yoruba and escorting the EFCC officials out of the polling area. Some voters questioned the presence of the anti-graft officials and challenged their deployment, insisting there was no evidence of vote-buying at the centre. The confrontation created a tense atmosphere before the operatives withdrew peacefully. Voting continued without disruption after their departure.

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One EFCC official, speaking anonymously to The PUNCH, said the commission views the voters’ actions as an “attack on its lawful mandate” and a dangerous precedent that could embolden others to obstruct law enforcement during future elections if left unchecked. “We consider the action unacceptable and unlawful. The commission will not condone criminality. We are on the lookout for those involved,” the official said. The official further stated that the action of those voters has set a dangerous precedent and that if such conduct is allowed to continue, it could embolden others to obstruct law enforcement officers carrying out legitimate assignments during elections. He added that the commission would seriously look into the matter and ensure that the actors in that scenario are located, stressing that people cannot simply decide to frustrate officials of the commission who are carrying out their statutory responsibilities. The commission made it clear that it would not be intimidated in its efforts to combat electoral offences and vote-buying. The official insisted that vote-buying is wrong and that the commission would not condone it, adding that they would not allow anybody to intimidate them or succumb to any form of harassment. He further stated that the EFCC would continue to fight vote-buying and sanitise the electoral process, emphasising that the responsibility has been entrusted to them and they will not abandon it because of threats or resistance from any quarter.

The commission had deployed operatives to multiple locations across Ekiti State on election day. A separate team of about ten operatives visited Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s polling unit — Polling Unit 003, Ward 06, Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area — arriving around 9:05 a.m. to monitor activities. No disruption or arrests were reported at that location. The incident at Iyin-Ekiti, however, has become the focal point of the commission’s post-election review, raising questions about the safety of EFCC operatives during election monitoring duties.

The confrontation occurred amid widespread allegations of vote-buying across various parts of the state. According to reports, in Aramoko Ekiti — the hometown of the incumbent governor’s mother — multiple voters openly admitted to receiving cash payments to influence their choices. At least five voters confirmed receiving 10,000 Naira each from party agents to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress. The EFCC has been actively involved in monitoring elections nationwide as part of efforts to curb financial inducements and other practices that undermine the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

The EFCC is now working to identify and potentially prosecute the individuals involved in the Iyin-Ekiti incident. While the commission has not yet made any arrests, officials insist that the matter is being treated with seriousness and that those identified will face legal consequences. Efforts to get the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

EFCC Vows to Arrest Voters Who Chased Operatives From Ekiti Polling Unit

Police Bust Syndicate Moving Military Camouflage, Hard Drugs Out of Lagos – 4 Arrested

The Lagos State Police Command has smashed a smuggling syndicate moving military camouflage uniforms and illicit drugs out of the state, arresting four suspects in a major intelligence-led operation. Commissioner of Police CP Tijani Fatai paraded the suspects and exhibits at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, detailing the command’s successes over the past two weeks.

Operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit intercepted an unregistered MAN diesel truck on the night of Saturday, June 20, 2026, along the Lekki-Epe corridor. The truck, according to the CP, was loaded with 47 sacks containing military camouflage uniforms and caps and 80 cartons of different categories of suspected narcotics. A police source involved in the investigation told NewsWatch Online that the truck driver and his assistant were initially arrested before two other suspects who came to a police station in Surulere to claim the exhibits were also taken into custody.

CP Fatai identified the arrested suspects as Chinedu David, 29; Ezeagwu Chukwuma, 38; and Ifeanyi Ogbeanyi, 45. He stated that “preliminary investigation revealed that the recovered truck was allegedly being used to transport the military camouflage uniforms to the eastern part of the country.” However, he warned that the investigation is still ongoing, adding: “With the trend of events across the country, especially in areas affected by banditry and other violent crimes, we have seen criminal elements wearing military uniforms. We do not yet know what these uniforms were meant for, and that is why the investigation is ongoing.”

Police Bust Syndicate Moving Military Camouflage, Hard Drugs Out of Lagos – 4 Arrested

The seizure of military-grade uniforms and illicit drugs on their way out of Lagos comes weeks after a similar interception by the Nigeria Customs Service along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, raising fresh concerns about criminal access to military accoutrements outside authorised channels. Customs officials had previously seized a luxury bus conveying military apparel and narcotics concealed in cartons and hidden compartments, also heading towards the South-east.

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In a separate operation, police arrested 34 foreign nationals during a raid on Lagos Island. Those arrested comprised 14 citizens of Chad, nine from Burkina Faso, four from the Benin Republic, four Malians, two Togolese, two Cameroonians, and one Guinean. The CP stated that many of those arrested were unable to provide satisfactory explanations for their activities, claiming “they were into networking.” They are being profiled by the State Criminal Investigation Department and will be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.

The police also rescued 38 foreign nationals from possible mob action in the Epe area of Lagos State on June 17, 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that 20 of the individuals entered Nigeria illegally, while 18 possessed valid ECOWAS travel documents. The matter has been referred to the Nigeria Immigration Service and relevant diplomatic missions for appropriate action.

The command also recorded other successes in the period under review, including the arrest of a suspect linked to a notorious ‘one-chance’ robbery syndicate, with 51 mobile phones recovered from victims. Additionally, operatives arrested two suspected cable vandals identified as Ikenegboge Godwin, 23, and Aondoaka Jacob, 23, who were intercepted while vandalising electrical cables on the Third Mainland Bridge. Police operatives recovered the stolen cables and have launched a manhunt for other fleeing members of the syndicate.

In the Ijanikin area of Lagos, police operatives acting on intelligence supplied by residents arrested several suspects and recovered a cache of firearms, including two double-barrelled guns and six locally fabricated single-barrel firearms. The police also arrested suspected cultists linked to the Eiye and Alora confraternities, recovering firearms and ammunition during the operations. Other recoveries include 14 firearms, four live cartridges, and two Vehicle Engine Control Units (ECUs), otherwise known as brain boxes.

The police boss reaffirmed the command’s resolve to keep Lagos secure: “We are not going to allow any banditry into Lagos. Our borders are tightened up and we are not going to rest on our oars.” He also stated that police are on the trail of the alleged financier of the syndicate, adding: “We are on the trail of the person funding the syndicate. The suspects we have arrested are giving us useful information, and we are confident we will apprehend him.”

The interception of the truck and the arrest of the suspects represent a major success in the command’s sustained efforts to combat violent crime in Lagos State and other parts of the country. Investigations into all cases are ongoing.

Police Bust Syndicate Moving Military Camouflage, Hard Drugs Out of Lagos – 4 Arrested