By Suleiman Anyalewechi
For the third time in less three months, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Friday February 27, 2026, rearraigned former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Wife, and son before an Abuja Federal High Court.
The anti-graft Commission arraigned the defendants before the Honourable Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik ,on an amended 16-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of public funds, money laundering and abuse of public office to the tune of over N8.7billion.
The arraignment before the new Judge followed the sudden withdrawal of the immediate past trial Judge, Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who, on February 12, 2026, recused himself from the case citing personal considerations as a major reason.
Before him, however, vacation Judge, Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite, had, on January, 7, 2026, granted Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz bail to the tune of N500 million each , with two sureties in like sum.
At the resumed hearing on Friday , prosecution counsel Jibrin Okutepa SAN informed the court that the business of the day was for the rearraigment of the defendants ,the case file having been reassigned to a new Judge.
“The matter is coming before Your Lordship this morning for the very first time, and I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken”, Okutepa stated .
The prosecution counsel also applied to effect a slight correction in the amount listed in counts 11 and 12 ,to read N325 million , instead of N325 billion, and N120 million, instead of N120 billion respectively.
The amendment application was subsequently granted, having not been opposed by the defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN .
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A new application for bail will,however, be filed and the defendants are to remain in jail until it is heard, and if granted, perfected.
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