Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s former attorney general and minister of justice, has been charged with 16 counts of money laundering and conspiracy involving billions of naira, Reuters reported.

The charges were brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Reuters said. Prosecutors accuse Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe of concealing the origin of funds allegedly derived from unlawful activities over a decade-long period from 2015 to 2025.

The EFCC alleges the three men used corporate accounts and real-estate purchases to launder transactions worth more than 8 billion naira (about $5.5 million), according to the news agency. 

Malami served as Nigeria’s top law enforcement official from 2015 until 2023, Reuters reported. The EFCC alleges he conspired to acquire assets with illicit funds while in office, including a luxury duplex in Maitama, hotels in Jabi, and plots of land in Gwarimpa and Asokoro.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday, Reuters said. 

Read more at Reuters