Witness Reveals Multi-Million Naira Deals in Malami’s N8.7b Trial

A prosecution witness on Tuesday detailed a series of multi-million naira transactions before a Federal High Court in Abuja in the ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The witness, Munawwarah Salisu Anas, a Compliance Officer with Jaiz Bank Plc, told the court that several high-value inflows and outflows passed through an account linked to Alkausar Farm, one of the entities under investigation in the case being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, and laundering of alleged proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.

At the resumed hearing before the Federal High Court, Maitama, prosecuting counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was for continuation of trial before calling the witness.

Led in evidence, Anas explained that as a compliance officer, her responsibilities include interfacing with law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on financial investigations and document requests.

She confirmed that the bank received a request from the EFCC concerning account records and responded with documentation dated February 4, 2026, which was tendered in evidence without objection at the stage of admissibility, as defence counsel, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), reserved his objections for final address.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the documents and marked them as Exhibit E Series.

Explaining the exhibit, the witness said it contained account opening documents and statements detailing transactions linked to Alkausar Farm.

While reviewing the records, Anas highlighted several inflows and outflows running into millions of naira.

She told the court that in June 2018, the account received cash deposits of N1 million and N2.25 million from different individuals.

According to her, on December 7, 2018, the account recorded multiple inflows from Kalamu Wahid Global Concept, including four separate transfers of N10 million each and an additional N8 million on the same day.

The witness further stated that on December 18, 2018, a debit of N45.5 million was transferred from the account to Donaliv Global Nigeria Limited.

She also testified that in July 2020, the account received two separate inflows of N26.25 million each from Al-Afiya Energy Limited.

On July 24, 2020, she added, the account recorded a N50 million transfer to Sahad Stores Limited and another N1 million transfer to Alfagai Jewelry Nigeria Limited.

Anas further disclosed that on August 12, 2020, the account received N2.03 million, which was later withdrawn via cheque on the same day.

Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed she was not in court pursuant to a subpoena and also stated that banks monitor suspicious transactions and report same to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

“Yes, we know because we monitor and report to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, if the transactions are suspicious,” she told the court.

Following the conclusion of cross-examination, the witness was discharged.

Justice Abdulmalik thereafter adjourned the matter to July 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.