A compliance officer with Jaiz Bank Plc on Tuesday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja testify on an account with transactions linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.
The three family members are facing charges of money laundering inolving N8.7 billlion.
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The witness, Munawwarah Anas, who testified as the fifth prosecution witness, highlighted millions of naira in inflows and outflows in Alkausar Farm’s account.
Mr Malami, his wife and son are facing money laundering charges involving N8.7 billion alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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The commission alleged in the charges filed against them last December that they carried out the money laundering schemes between 2015 and 2025 through multiple bank accounts, corporate entities and high value property acquisitions.
The charges also include conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities involving N8.7 billion.
The bulk of the transactions allegedly occurred during Mr Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
Witness’ testimony
Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ms Anas, who listed interfacing with regulatory and law enforcement agencies as part of her roles as a compliance officer, said Jaiz Bank received a request from the EFCC seeking documents relating to the account opening package of Alkausar Farm.
According to her, the bank responded through a letter dated 4 February addressed to the anti-graft agency.
The prosecution subsequently sought to tender the bank’s response, compliance letter and account opening documents as evidence.
Defence lawyer Adedayo Adedeji, also a SAN, opted to reserve his objection until the final address.
Consequently, the judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, admitted the documents as exhibits and marked them as Exhibits E Series.
In her testimony, Ms Anas said that on 13 June 2018, the account received a cash deposit of N1 million from Hassan Aliyu, while on 20 June 2018, it received another cash deposit of N2.25 million from Aliyu Mohammed.
The witness further testified that on 7 December 2018, the account received multiple inflows from Kalamu Wahid Global Concept, including transfers of N10 million each on four occasions and an additional transfer of N8 million on the same day.
She said that on 18 December 2018, the account recorded a debit transfer of N45.5 million to Donaliv Global Nigeria Limited.
Ms Anas stated also that the account received N26.25 million from Al-Afiya Energy Limited on 13 July 2020 and another N26.25 million from the same company on 22 July 2020.
She said that that on 24 July 2020, the account recorded a transfer debit of N50 million to Sahad Stores Limited and another transfer debit of N1 million to Alfagai Jewelry Nigeria Limited.
The witness also testified that on 12 August 2020, the account received a transfer credit of N2.03 million, adding that on the same day, a cheque withdrawal of N2.03 million was made by one Aliyu Mohammed Hassan.
Cross-examination
During cross-examination by defence lawyer Mr Adedeji, Ms Anas said she was not the account officer responsible for the account.
She also told the court that Jaiz Bank has a chief compliance officer based in Abuja.
The witness confirmed that none of the defendants in the case was a signatory to the account.
She further stated that none of the inflows and outflows reflected in the account records originated from the Federal Ministry of Justice and that none of the defendants was a signatory to the account.
At this stage of the trial, the relevance of the bank entries to the charges are still unclear.
The judge subsequently discharged the witness after the conclusion of her testimony and adjourned the matter until 17 July for continuation of trial.
Between March and April, the prosecution presented its first four witnesses.
The first prosecution witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank in Abuja, told the court that Metropolitan Autotech provided the cash collateral that backed the loan facility granted to Rayhaan Hotels Limited. He said both Metropolitan Autotech and Rayhaan Hotels Limited maintain separate accounts with the bank. He added that Hassan Aliyu is the signatory to the Metropolitan Autotech account.
The second prosecution witness, Daniel Kwayil, a compliance officer with Union Bank, tendered copies of the account opening package and statement of account of Meethaq Hotels Limited.
He said the sole signatory to Meethaq Hotels Limited’s account is Asabe Rakiya Bashir, Mr Malami’s wife and co-defendant in the case.
The third prosecution witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, tendered account opening documents, certification and loan-related records linked to Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited and Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative, he linked the account to Mr Malami’s son.
READ ALSO: Court to give judgement in forfeiture suit against 57 properties linked to Malami
The fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, testified that funds moved through several entities including Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited, Nashab Limited, Golden Age Global Ventures, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
He said the bank records formed part of documents requested by investigators and presented before the court.
Besides the corrution trial, Mr Malami is facing forfeirure proceedings involving nearly N13 billion worth of assets seized from him as alleged proceeds of unlawful activities.
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