Court Hears How Zenith Bank Flagged Malami Transactions as Suspicious

The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, continued on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with a compliance officer from Zenith Bank confirming that the bank filed Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) over transactions linked to accounts associated with the former minister.

The witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, testified before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The prosecution alleges that Abubakar Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, are involved in an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, and the laundering of about ₦8.7 billion, said to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The EFCC further alleges that the funds were moved through multiple accounts linked to the defendants as part of its broader financial investigation.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Adebayo Adedeji (SAN), the Zenith Bank compliance officer confirmed that all transactions reflected in the account statements complied with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations. However, he told the court that despite this compliance, the bank was still legally required to escalate certain transactions that appeared unusual or suspicious under anti-money laundering laws. The witness stated, “But we had to file Suspicious Transaction Report. We did file.”

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He further explained that financial institutions are mandated to report transactions that appear unusual, repetitive, or capable of raising compliance concerns, adding that such reports are forwarded to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for further review and analysis.

The courtroom experienced brief tension when EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), asked the witness to explain what constitutes a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR). The defence objected, arguing that the witness had already addressed the issue and that further questioning was unnecessary. However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik overruled the objection, citing Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act and allowing the prosecution to proceed.

The witness further clarified that banks are expected to escalate transactions that show repetitive patterns or unusual financial movements that may indicate possible irregularities. “Any deposition of funds seen in a pattern or repetitive, you must escalate it to the NFIU,” he said.

Bata also told the court that his role as a compliance officer was limited to responding to regulatory inquiries and law enforcement requests. He added that he was neither the account officer nor the relationship manager responsible for managing the accounts under investigation.

After his testimony, the court discharged the witness and adjourned the matter to May 22 for continuation of hearing. The case forms part of the EFCC’s ongoing anti-corruption prosecutions targeting politically exposed persons and high-value financial transactions suspected to involve illicit funds. The defendants, however, have consistently denied all allegations, insisting that the transactions were legitimate and carried out in line with due process.

Court Hears How Zenith Bank Flagged Malami Transactions as Suspicious

Chike’s Old Interview on Dating Older Women Trends Amid Alleged Link to Frank Edoho’s Ex-Wife

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Chike, has become the subject of intense social media conversations after an old interview resurfaced in which he explained why he prefers dating older women.

The resurfaced interview has gained renewed attention amid ongoing online speculation linking the singer to the failed marriage of veteran broadcaster and television personality, Frank Edoho, and his estranged wife, Sandra Onyenucheya.

In the now-viral interview circulating across blogs and social media platforms, Chike revealed that older women appeal to him because of their emotional maturity, better communication skills, stability, and reduced drama in relationships.

According to the singer, maturity often brings peace of mind and a deeper understanding of relationships — qualities he said he values strongly in his personal life.

“At this stage of my life, I value peace, understanding and emotional intelligence,” the singer reportedly stated while discussing his dating preferences.

The singer also suggested that younger women are sometimes more attracted to the excitement and public attention associated with celebrities rather than building meaningful and stable relationships.

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The interview has since sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans agreeing with his views on relationships and maturity, while others argued that age does not necessarily determine emotional intelligence or compatibility.

The renewed interest in the interview comes amid widespread rumours alleging that Chike was romantically involved with Sandra Onyenucheya, the former wife of Frank Edoho.

Although several entertainment blogs and social media users have linked the singer to the reported collapse of the marriage, no official evidence has been provided to support the claims.

Neither Chike nor Sandra Onyenucheya has publicly addressed the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

However, Frank Edoho recently confirmed that his second marriage had ended, revealing that he and Sandra had privately separated for nearly two years before the news became public.

In a statement shared online, the veteran broadcaster disclosed that he had already made peace emotionally with the situation long before the rumours surfaced publicly.

“While I understand that the public is only just becoming aware of this chapter, I have lived through it privately for quite some time now — almost two years — and have since made peace with it emotionally,” Edoho said.

The media personality also appreciated fans and supporters for their concern, prayers, and goodwill during the difficult period.

Meanwhile, reports also claimed that Chike temporarily restricted comments on his Instagram page following backlash from some social media users reacting to the alleged affair rumours.

Despite the widespread online discussions, the allegations connecting the singer to the failed marriage remain unverified and speculative.

The controversy has nevertheless reignited broader conversations about celebrity relationships, privacy, emotional maturity in dating, and the influence of social media gossip on public perception.

Chike’s Old Interview on Dating Older Women Trends Amid Alleged Link to Frank Edoho’s Ex-Wife

EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of Former Acting AGF’s Assets to FG

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of multibillion-naira assets, bank funds, luxury property and stock investments belonging to former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nnabuoku, to the Federal Government after his conviction for money laundering.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling on Wednesday while granting an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which sought the confiscation of properties and investments identified as proceeds of unlawful activities.

The judge held that forfeiture naturally follows conviction in financial crime cases, especially where the assets were acquired with proceeds traced to illegal activities.

According to Justice Omotosho, allowing the convict to retain the assets after conviction would amount to permitting him to continue benefiting from crime.

“The convict here will not be allowed to enjoy those properties which are being sought to be forfeited. He has been convicted and those properties have been established to emanate from proceeds of illegal activities,” the judge ruled.

The court dismissed objections raised by counsel to the former acting AGF, who argued that the forfeiture proceedings should not continue because an appeal had already been filed against the conviction.

Justice Omotosho, however, clarified that the filing of a notice of appeal does not stop the court from making forfeiture orders, describing confiscation of criminal proceeds as part of the sentencing process.

“Forfeiture in this instance is seen as part of the judgment. In fact, it is similar to the sentencing handed down by the court,” he stated.

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The court subsequently ordered the confiscation and permanent forfeiture of all assets listed in the EFCC application filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024.

Among the assets forfeited are millions of naira found in multiple bank accounts allegedly linked to companies associated with Nnabuoku.

The funds include ₦12.5 million in Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited’s Zenith Bank account, ₦4.1 million in Turge Global Investment Limited’s account, ₦682,904 in Laptev Bridge Limited’s account and ₦51.2 million in Arafura Transnational Afro Limited’s account.

The court also approved the forfeiture of ₦220 million previously refunded by Nnabuoku into an EFCC recovery account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Also forfeited is a five-bedroom standalone duplex located at No. 20 City Gate Estate, Kukwaba, Abuja, valued at ₦64 million, alongside an additional ₦3 million paid as infrastructural development levy.

According to the EFCC, the house keys were voluntarily handed over by the convict as part of restitution during investigations.

In addition to the cash and property forfeiture, the court also ordered the seizure of Nnabuoku’s extensive stock investments across several major Nigerian companies.

The forfeited shares include 10 million units in Access Holdings Plc, 7.5 million shares in First HoldCo Plc, 4.5 million shares in Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and over 10 million shares in United Bank for Africa Plc.

Other investments affected by the court order include shares in Zenith Bank Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc and several other firms.

According to the EFCC, the total market value of the forfeited investments stood at approximately ₦1.94 billion as of March 29, 2026.

The forfeiture order comes weeks after Justice Omotosho convicted Nnabuoku on a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering involving about ₦868 million.

The former acting Accountant-General was sentenced to a cumulative 72-year prison term without an option of fine after the court found him guilty on all counts. However, the sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he is expected to serve eight years imprisonment.

The EFCC had accused the former government official of diverting public funds while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

Investigators alleged that the diverted funds were laundered through proxy companies, investments and other financial channels before being traced by the anti-graft agency.

Nnabuoku briefly served as acting Accountant-General of the Federation in 2022 following the suspension of former AGF Ahmed Idris over separate corruption allegations before he was later removed from office.

The latest ruling is being regarded as one of the most significant recent asset recovery cases involving a former senior public finance official in Nigeria.

EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of Former Acting AGF’s Assets to FG