Connect with us

News

Court Remands Former Attorney-General Malami, Son and Wife In Kuje Correctional Facility 

Published

on

 

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until January 2, 2026, the hearing of bail applications for former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; his son; and a third defendant.

Justice Omolara Adeyemi ordered the remand of all three defendants at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the bail hearing.

The defendants were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday on a 16-count charge, including allegations of money laundering, unlawful asset acquisition, and conspiracy. They pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Footage from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) showed Malami present in court as the charges were read. Following the arraignment, defense counsel indicated their intention to file for bail, prompting the judge to adjourn and order remand.

The case represents one of the most prominent prosecutions of a former senior official from the Buhari administration and has attracted significant public interest.

Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was one of the most influential officials in the administration.

Advert

The matter will continue on January 2, when the court is expected to hear and rule on the bail applications.

On Tuesday, Malami appeared alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an ally, Hajia Bashir Asabe.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when read before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The charges, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accuse the former chief law officer of Nigeria of abusing his office to funnel suspicious funds through private companies, property deals and bank transactions he “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to court filings obtained by SaharaReporters, the EFCC alleges that Malami used fronts and corporate entities — including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd — to launder public funds while in office.

One of the charges claims Malami and his son procured over N1,014,848,500 through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd between July 2022 and June 2025 to conceal the origin of funds in a Sterling Bank account.

Another alleges he used N600,000,000 as collateral to secure a loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite allegedly knowing the money was suspicious.

Multiple counts accuse the defendants of using Properties company and Bureau De Change operators to disguise payments for high-end properties in Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Kano, including: N500m luxury duplex, Amazon Street, Maitama; N700m property, Onitsha Crescent, Garki; N850m Meethaq Hotels, Jabi; N430m Rhine Street property, Maitama; N537m properties in Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi.

Two of the properties were described as “Hamonia Hotels Ltd, Area 11 Garki” and Meethaq Hotels on Rhine Street in Maitama.

In documents tendered to the court as Proof of Evidence, the anti-graft agency listed witnesses including investigators, Bureau De Change operators and bankers.

The EFCC says its officials — Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman — will testify about how petitions and intelligence reports triggered the probe into “monumental corruption” allegedly linked to the former minister.

A witness, Hassan Aliyu, allegedly claims his company’s account was used for suspicious multimillion-naira transactions without his full knowledge.

Despite the weight of the accusations, Malami and his co-defendants insist they are innocent. They entered a not guilty plea, forcing the case into full trial.

News

NNPP Crisis:High Court Affirms Abiya as Acting Kano Chairman

Published

on

 

As Court Fixes January 19 for Hearing of Case Filed by Dawakin Tofa Exco Against Former Chairman

The Kano State High Court has affirmed Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as the Acting State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State.

In the ruling, the court also upheld the suspension of the former State Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, and restrained him from interfering in the affairs of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The interim order followed a motion ex-parte dated December 30, 2025, filed by members of the NNPP from Gargari Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, seeking the court’s intervention over the leadership crisis in the party.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf of High Court No. 13, Miller Road, Kano, delivered the ruling in an interim order.

Advert

The applicants urged the court to uphold the disciplinary process that led to the suspension of Dungurawa by his ward executive over allegations of denigrating the office and person of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, creating division within the party, and failure to pay party dues.

The court further fixed January 19 for the hearing of the substantive case filed by the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Executive Committee of the NNPP against the former chairman.

In the suit marked KN/1218/2026, the court restrained Dungurawa from parading himself as the NNPP State Chairman or interfering with party affairs pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.

The suit was instituted by Abdullahi Ali Uban Iya, Shuaibu Hassan, and Auwal Sani Abubakar.

Justice Yusuf also ordered that the suspension of the former chairman effected on December 30, 2025, be maintained, while directing that all court processes be duly served on the respondents.

The court further ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante as it existed after December 30, 2025, pending the determination of the case.

The court’s decision effectively maintains the status quo within the party leadership in Kano State until the determination of the case.

Meanwhile, the NNPP State Executive Committee has endorsed the emergence of Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as Acting State Chairman following the suspension of Hashimu Dungurawa.

The endorsement was made during an emergency meeting of the party’s state executive held at the NNPP secretariat in Kano.

The decision was announced by the party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, Barrister Yusuf Mukhtar, who said Abiya’s emergence was in line with the provisions of the NNPP Constitution with the State Hight has affirmed today by the experte order.

Continue Reading

News

Call for Governor Yusuf to Join APC, a Welcome Development – Inuwa Waya

Published

on

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and elder statesman, Mallam Inuwa Waya, has said that His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusif is an Excellent performer who received awards for good governance in improving education, agriculture, press freedom, accountability, infrastructure and urban beautification. He is therefore an asset to any political party.

Advert

Mallam Inuwa Waya stated that the call for the governor to join the APC is a welcome development that would usher in a new era of reforms devoid of political chicanery, which is necessary for the survival of the APC in Kano State.

The elder statesman further stated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusif will bring his unique style of political sagacity necessary for internal democracy and cooperation among leaders and followers.

 

Inuwa Waya urged APC stakeholders to put aside personal ambition and support His Excellency Engineer Abba Kabir Yusif. As the Governor of Kano State, he is the undisputed leader of the party. Everyone must show loyalty and willingness to work with him for the greater good of the greatest number.

Continue Reading

News

Zaura Empowers 5,000 PWDs Across Kano”

Published

on

 

Over 5,000 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) from all 44 local government areas of Kano State have received support through a wide-reaching empowerment program spearheaded by Abdussalam Abubakar Zaura known as A.A. Zaura.

The beneficiaries converged in Kano metropolis, where the empowerment forms were officially distributed.

Speaking at the event on behalf of AA Zaura, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Zaura said the initiative was designed to discourage street begging and promote self-reliance among PWDs across the state.

He added that program was designed to enhance economic inclusion and improve the quality of life for marginalized communities across the state

He noted that the gesture was part of a broader commitment to support vulnerable groups and integrate them into productive economic activities.

Alhaji Ado, a former Deputy Chairman of Ungoggo Local Government Area, emphasized that years of neglect and lack of adequate support from both government and well-meaning individuals had pushed many PWDs into street begging.

He stressed that the empowerment programme aims to reverse that trend by providing sustainable means of livelihood.
According to him, AA Zaura resolved to come to the aid of PWDs by offering various empowerment opportunities, including start up capital for small-scale businesses, sewing machines, scholarships, and other forms of assistance tailored to individual needs and interests, including education.

Advert

He further disclosed the introduction of a new initiative tagged “AA Zaura Aqidah Programme,” under which 27 participants will be selected from each ward across the state to benefit from further empowerment, with special focus on youths.

Also speaking at the event, Garba Nuhu Darki, former member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Wudil Constituency and Director-General, Political Contact and Mobilization of the AA Zaura Movement, described the large turnout of PWDs as a clear indication of AA Zaura’s vision and leadership direction.

“To me, the gathering I witnessed today reflects the direction of AA Zaura’s ambition, especially considering that this empowerment programme is exclusively for persons living with disabilities,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the support provided and to continue supporting the movement in order to achieve its broader political aspirations.

Earlier, Chief Protocol of the movement, Abubakar Yawale (popularly known as Baba Yawale), said PWDs occupy a special place in the heart of AA Zaura, adding that for over 20 years, AA Zaura has consistently supported persons with disabilities to enhance their wellbeing and productivity in society.

In his remarks, Isa PA assured the beneficiaries that more empowerment programmes were underway.

He revealed plans to procure hearing aids for persons with hearing impairments, walking sticks for the visually impaired, and electric wheelchairs for physically challenged persons. He, however, encouraged beneficiaries to ensure they obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In her remarks, Hajiya Maimuna Shitu, popularly known as Uwar Marayu, commended A.A. Zaura for his initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities and, by extension, orphans.

She urged the beneficiaries to rally behind Zaura’s vision of advancing the socio-economic welfare of the populace.

Hajiya Maimuna noted that all his efforts in capacity building and economic empowerment have been carried out independently, without external assistance.

She highlighted that Zaura has been funding these initiatives from his personal resources, acting in his capacity as a businessman rather than a government official.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their happiness for the gesture and affirmed their loyalty to AA Zaura.

Continue Reading

Trending