The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering charges was on Friday stalled before the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of his counsel, Joseph Daudu.
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Malami is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his wife, Hajiya Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz.
The matter, which was scheduled for continuation before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, could not proceed because Daudu was not present in court.
Although counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, was in court alongside the defendants, the absence of the lead defence counsel prevented the trial from going on.
It was gathered that Daudu had earlier written to the court requesting an adjournment of the case.
Following the development, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of trial.
The court had earlier, on March 16, heard evidence from two prosecution witnesses, who allegedly explained how millions of naira were paid into company accounts linked to Malami, his wife and son.
The defendants are facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion.
The EFCC opened its case against them on March 6 with its first prosecution witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.
Malami, his wife and son were rearraigned on February 27 on the alleged offences and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After their arraignment, they were remanded in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Justice Abdulmalik later granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦200 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge also ordered that one of the sureties must deposit title deeds of a landed property located in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, with the court registrar.
The defendants were also directed to submit their international passports before their bail conditions were eventually perfected.
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