A compliance officer with Jaiz Bank Plc has testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on transactions linked to an account allegedly connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is standing trial alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami, over an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering scheme.
The witness, Munawwarah Anas, appeared on Tuesday as the fifth prosecution witness in the case being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The three defendants are facing multiple counts of conspiracy, money laundering, concealment, and disguising proceeds of alleged unlawful activities amounting to N8.7 billion. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025 through a network of bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value property acquisitions. Investigators allege that a significant portion of the transactions occurred while Malami served as Attorney-General under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023.
Bank Records Tendered
While being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), Anas told the court that Jaiz Bank received a request from the EFCC seeking account-opening documents and statements relating to Alkausar Farm.
She said the bank responded through a letter dated February 4 and provided the requested records to investigators.
The prosecution subsequently tendered the bank’s compliance letter, response, and account-opening documents as evidence. Defence counsel Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) reserved his objection until the final address, following which Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the documents and marked them as Exhibits E Series.
Details of Transactions
Testifying on the account records, Anas highlighted several inflows and outflows involving Alkausar Farm’s account.
She told the court that the account received a cash deposit of N1 million from Hassan Aliyu on June 13, 2018, and another cash deposit of N2.25 million from Aliyu Mohammed on June 20, 2018.
According to her, on December 7, 2018, the account received multiple transfers from Kalamu Wahid Global Concept, including four separate inflows of N10 million each and an additional transfer of N8 million.
The witness further stated that the account recorded a debit transfer of N45.5 million to Donaliv Global Nigeria Limited on December 18, 2018.
She also testified that Al-Afiya Energy Limited transferred N26.25 million into the account on July 13, 2020, and another N26.25 million on July 22, 2020.
On July 24, 2020, the account reportedly recorded a transfer of N50 million to Sahad Stores Limited and another transfer of N1 million to Alfagai Jewelry Nigeria Limited.
Anas added that the account received N2.03 million on August 12, 2020, while a cheque withdrawal for the same amount was made on the same day by Aliyu Mohammed Hassan.
Defence Cross-Examines Witness
During cross-examination, the witness acknowledged that she was not the account officer responsible for the account and confirmed that Jaiz Bank’s chief compliance officer is based in Abuja.
She also told the court that none of the defendants was a signatory to the account in question.
Anas further confirmed that none of the transactions reflected in the account records originated from the Federal Ministry of Justice and reiterated that neither Malami, his wife, nor his son was listed as a signatory to the account.
At this stage of the proceedings, the direct connection between the account transactions and the charges against the defendants has yet to be fully established in court.
Following her testimony, Justice Abdulmalik discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until July 17 for continuation of trial.
Earlier Witnesses
The prosecution had previously called four witnesses between March and April.
The first witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank, testified that Metropolitan Autotech provided the cash collateral backing a loan facility granted to Rayhaan Hotels Limited. He added that Hassan Aliyu was the signatory to Metropolitan Autotech’s account.
The second witness, Daniel Kwayil of Union Bank, tendered account-opening documents and statements relating to Meethaq Hotels Limited, stating that Asabe Bashir was the sole signatory to the company’s account.
The third witness, Olomotane Egoro, an Access Bank compliance officer, submitted banking and loan records linked to Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited and Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative, which prosecutors alleged were connected to Abdulaziz Malami.
The fourth witness, Mashelia Bata of 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.
Separate Asset Forfeiture Case
Apart from the ongoing corruption and money laundering trial, Malami is also facing separate forfeiture proceedings involving assets valued at nearly N13 billion, which authorities allege were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
