A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to a 16-count money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Malami’s co-defendants—his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his fourth wife, Bashir Asabe—also pleaded not guilty to all the counts when the charges were read to them by the court registrar.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In the charge, the EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain, and disguise proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.

According to the commission, the alleged offences span several years and involve the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and other locations.

The EFCC further alleged that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was on Tuesday morning brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ahead of his arraignment on a 16-count money laundering charge.

Malami appeared in court shortly before 9 a.m., accompanied by his two co-defendants: his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a company linked to the former minister.

The EFCC alleges that the trio, among others, laundered approximately N8.7 billion.

Court proceedings are yet to commence.

Details shortly…

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected traffic robbers along the Lekki–Epe Expressway within the last two weeks, following growing complaints by motorists over theft of vehicle parts in traffic.

The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Tactical Squad, Elemoro, at different locations along the busy corridor, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Fourteen suspected traffic robbers have been arrested by the Tactical Squad, Elemoro, within the last two weeks at different locations along the Lekki–Epe Expressway,” Adebisi said.

She described the operation as “a clear demonstration of the Command’s commitment to improving security and protecting road users along the corridor,” while urging residents to remain vigilant.

“See something, say something,” the police spokesperson added.

The development comes amid heightened public concern over traffic-related robberies in the Lekki axis, particularly the theft of car parts while vehicles are stuck in congestion.

Earlier, tech influencer Fisayo Fosudo had raised the alarm on X, lamenting repeated attacks on his vehicle.

“Today makes it the fourth time that these boys on the street will steal my car’s parts in Lagos traffic,” Fosudo wrote.

His post sparked further reactions from motorists, including a user with the handle #fimiletoks, who warned drivers about a specific pattern of targeting.

“If you drive the RX 350 2017–2022 model, you are a target at night on Lekki–Epe,” the user said. “You will replace side mirrors and that black cover behind the mirrors every other month. One mirror costs over ₦100,000, and it’s in high demand. They disguise as beggars or hawkers.”

Residents and road users have long complained about criminals exploiting traffic gridlock along the Lekki–Epe Expressway to snatch valuables and vehicle parts, often operating under the guise of street trading or begging.

The police said investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing, assuring motorists of increased patrols and tactical operations to curb the menace and restore confidence along the route.