A compliance officer at Zenith Bank, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the bank submitted a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) concerning accounts linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami. He testified before Judge Joyce Abdulmalik in the ongoing trial of Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz Malami. The trio face 16 counts of money laundering involving N8.7 billion, allegedly proceeds of crime. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claims the funds were used to acquire properties in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states.
Bata, who began testifying on 20 April, stated that large inflows into the accounts triggered internal alerts. During cross-examination, defence lawyer Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, questioned whether the transactions violated banking rules. The witness maintained they complied with Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines but confirmed the STR was still filed. Prosecution counsel Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, sought to re-examine the witness on the meaning of an STR, citing Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act. The judge allowed the clarification despite defence objections.
Bata explained that unusual transaction patterns must be reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the body responsible for analysing financial data to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. He clarified he was neither the account officer nor relationship manager for the accounts under review. After re-examination, no further questions were raised, and the court discharged the witness. Proceedings adjourned to 22 May for continuation.
The EFCC alleges Malami and his co-defendants moved the N8.7 billion through multiple accounts and corporate entities between 2015 and 2025. The defendants were first arraigned on 30 December 2025 and re-arraigned on 27 February. They pleaded not guilty. Separate asset forfeiture proceedings involve properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi valued at nearly N213 billion. Malami served as Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Abubakar Malami enforced anti-corruption laws as Attorney-General while transactions linked to him triggered a bank alert for suspicious activity. The same financial system he oversaw flagged movements in his accounts as unusual, even if within regulatory guidelines. This raises questions about how a chief law officer's finances attracted scrutiny under the regime he served. The court will now determine whether compliance with technical rules masks deeper impropriety.
⚖️ NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
