The absence of Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, counsel to former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN in court on Friday, stalled the ongoing trial of the former AGF, wife and son on alleged money laundering offences to the tune of N8.7 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The matter, which was fixed for continuation of trial could not hold due to the absence of the counsel to the former AGF in court.
Although, the EFCC’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, was in court, including the defendants, their lawyer was conspicuously absent.
It was, however, learnt that Daudu had earlier written to the court seeking an adjournment of the case.
In view of the development, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till June 23 for continuation of trial.
Two prosecution witnesses had, on March 16, told the court how millions of Naira were paid into companies’ accounts linked to Malami, Asabe and Abdulaziz, who are standing trial on a 16-count money laundering charges of the sum of N8. 7 billion.
The anti-graft agency had, on March 6, opened its case against the defendants by calling its 1st prosecution witness (PW1), David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.
Malami, his wife and son were re-arraigned on February 27 over alleged money laundering charge but pleaded not guilty.
They were, thereafter, remanded in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres before their bail application was heard.
Justice Abdulmalik, on March 6, admitted them to a N200 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
The judge ordered that one of the sureties must deposit his or her title deeds of a landed property located at Maitama or Asokoro Districts of Abuja, to the registrar of the court.
The judge also ordered the defendants to also deposit their international passports with the court.
END
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