By Muhammad Mamman
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of money laundering brought against him by the Federal Government.
Malami was arraigned on Tuesday alongside two co-defendants at a Federal High Court, where all three firmly denied the allegations levelled against them.
The charges, filed by federal prosecutors, relate to alleged financial misconduct said to have occurred during Malami’s tenure as the nation’s chief law officer. The defendants were accused of involvement in illicit financial transactions running into several millions of naira.
During the proceedings, the court took their pleas individually, with each defendant maintaining innocence. Defence counsel argued that the charges were unfounded and vowed to challenge the prosecution’s claims vigorously.
The presiding judge ordered that the defendants be granted bail on previously agreed terms, with the case adjourned for the commencement of full trial.
The Federal Government is expected to call multiple witnesses as prosecutors move to prove the allegations in the coming weeks.
