Jaiz Bank witness exposes accounts tied to Malami's N8.7 billion fraud case

A compliance officer from Jaiz Bank Plc, Munawwarah Anas, testified yesterday before the Federal High Court in Abuja about suspicious transactions in an account linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and his son Abdulaziz Malami. The three are facing money laundering charges involving N8.7 billion allegedly acquired between 2015 and 2025.

Ms Anas, the fifth prosecution witness, detailed millions in cash deposits and transfers through Alkausar Farm's account. She told the court that on 13 June 2018 the account received N1 million from Hassan Aliyu, and on 7 December 2018 it received multiple inflows from Kalamu Wahid Global Concept totalling N48 million in a single day. She also testified that N45.5 million was transferred to Donaliv Global Nigeria Limited on 18 December 2018, and N50 million went to Sahad Stores Limited on 24 July 2020.

The witness confirmed that none of the defendants was a signatory to the account, and none of the inflows came from the Federal Ministry of Justice. Defence lawyer Adedayo Adedeji, a SAN, reserved his objections. The judge adjourned the trial to 17 July. How does a sitting Attorney-General's family accumulate N8.7 billion in questionable transactions without his knowledge?