By Ado Oyeyemi
The alleged N8.7bn money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, suffered a setback on Friday following the absence of his counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), in court.
Malami is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside his wife, Hajiya Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, which was scheduled for continuation of trial proceedings, could not go on as planned after the defence counsel failed to appear in court.
Although counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), was present alongside the three defendants, proceedings were stalled due to the absence of Malami’s lawyer.
It was gathered that Daudu had earlier written to the court requesting an adjournment of the matter.
Following the development, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until June 23 for continuation of trial.
The anti-graft agency had earlier opened its case against the defendants by calling witnesses to testify on alleged financial transactions linked to companies associated with the former AGF, his wife and son.
During proceedings held on March 16, two prosecution witnesses allegedly told the court how millions of naira were traced to accounts connected to the defendants, who are facing a 16-count charge bordering on the alleged laundering of N8.7bn.
The EFCC had first opened its case on March 6 through its witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.
Malami, his wife and son were re-arraigned on February 27 on the money laundering charges, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The defendants were initially remanded in Kuje and Suleja correctional facilities pending the determination of their bail applications.
Justice Abdulmalik later granted each of them bail in the sum of N200m with two sureties in like sum.
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The court also directed that one of the sureties must provide a title deed of landed property located in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, while the defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
