“Do Not Approach Me,” Judge Tells Lawyers in Malami Money Laundering Case

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has issued a stern warning to counsel and litigants involved in the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, cautioning them against attempting to approach him for favours.

The warning was delivered on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, during proceedings in the ongoing trial in which Malami is being prosecuted alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

Justice Nwite cautioned that familiarity with the court or the judge should not be misconstrued as an opportunity to influence judicial proceedings, stressing that the integrity of the court would be firmly protected.

“I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same,” he said.

“Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The best you can do for your clients is to get the best lawyers in this country. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned.”

The judge further warned against any attempt to undermine his integrity, stating that such actions would be resisted.

“So, I want to warn each and every litigant and lawyer appearing before this court that they should understand the way this court works. Please, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Any attempt to tarnish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned!” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants over alleged money laundering offences amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49.

They are facing a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleges that Malami and his son, between July 2022 and June 2025, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦1,014,848,500 lodged in a Sterling Bank account.

Another count alleges that Malami, his son, and his wife conspired in September 2024 to disguise the origin of ₦1,049,173,926.13 paid through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, between November 2022 and September 2024.

The commission further alleged that Malami and his son indirectly took control of ₦1,362,887,872.96 paid through the Union Bank savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, knowing or reasonably expected to know that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Nwite granted the defendants bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

The court ordered that the sureties must be landed property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, and that all documents be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation).

The court also directed the defendants to deposit their international passports, refrain from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval, and remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until all bail conditions are perfected.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.