Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, son of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (SAN), Abubakar Malami, was reportedly rushed to the Kuje Correctional Centre clinic on Tuesday after suddenly falling ill while in custody.
His hospitalization comes amid ongoing high-profile fraud allegations involving him, his father, and the latter’s fourth wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe. The case has attracted significant public and media attention due to the scale of the alleged financial misconduct and the prominence of the accused.
Sudden Illness in Custody
Sources familiar with the situation told SaharaReporters that Abdulaziz Malami was admitted to the prison clinic for close observation after experiencing sudden health complications while at Kuje Correctional Centre.
“Malami’s son suddenly fell sick and was rushed to Kuje clinic to stay there for observation,” a prison insider said, explaining that medical personnel immediately attended to him and monitored his condition. There has been no official update on his health status beyond the initial admission to the clinic.
Court Arraignment Over N8.7B Fraud
Earlier on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the Malami family before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The defendants face a comprehensive 16-count charge of conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities totaling N8,713,923,759.49. These charges are framed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, reflecting allegations of serious financial misconduct spanning several years.
At the commencement of proceedings, prosecuting counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the arraignment was to enable the defendants to enter their pleas. Defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, raised no objections, and all three defendants formally pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Allegations Against Malami and Family
Court filings reveal that the EFCC alleges the former AGF and his family strategically used front companies, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, to launder public funds during Malami’s tenure in office. These companies were allegedly used to move significant sums of money without clear legal justification, effectively concealing the origin of the funds.
One charge states that Abdulaziz Malami and his father procured over N1 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd between July 2022 and June 2025, depositing the funds into a Sterling Bank account to disguise their source. Another count accuses the former AGF of using N600 million as collateral to secure a loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite allegedly knowing that the funds were obtained through suspicious means.
Additional counts allege that the defendants used real estate properties and Bureau De Change operators to obscure payments for high-end properties across Abuja and Kano, including luxury duplexes, hotel properties, and other valuable real estate assets worth hundreds of millions of naira. These maneuvers were reportedly intended to give an appearance of legitimacy to the transactions while effectively laundering illicit funds.
EFCC Witnesses and Evidence
In its Proof of Evidence, the EFCC listed multiple witnesses, including its officials, Bureau De Change operators, and bankers. The anti-graft agency indicated that these witnesses would provide testimony on how petitions and intelligence reports led to an investigation into what it described as “monumental corruption” allegedly involving the former minister and his family.
One witness, Hassan Aliyu, reportedly stated: “My company’s account was used for suspicious multi-million-naira transactions without my full knowledge.” These testimonies are expected to form a critical part of the EFCC’s case during the trial.
VIP Prison Accommodation
Abubakar Malami and his co-defendants are being held in a VIP cell at Kuje Prison, reportedly refurbished by the late Abba Kyari, reflecting their high-profile status. Despite the serious nature of the charges, all three defendants continue to maintain their innocence.
“We are not guilty of the charges,” Abdulaziz Malami’s defence team stated in court, emphasizing their intention to contest the allegations rigorously. The court proceedings are expected to be lengthy and closely watched due to the involvement of prominent figures and the high value of the alleged fraud.
Next Steps in Court
The Federal High Court has scheduled a bail hearing for the Malami family on January 2, 2026. Until then, the defendants remain in custody at Kuje Prison under observation. The case is anticipated to attract further public and media attention as it progresses to trial, with ongoing scrutiny of both the legal process and the health of Abdulaziz Malami while in detention.[/p>