The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, till June 23, 2026.

The trial, presided over by Joyce Abdulmalik, was shifted following an application for adjournment filed by the defence team representing Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

The trio are facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged conspiracy, concealment and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At Friday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, told the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of hearing but that the prosecution had received a letter from the defence seeking adjournment.

Although the prosecution did not oppose the request, Okutepa urged the court to take note of the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants, stressing that the defence still had four adjournments remaining after the latest request.

Responding, Justice Abdulmalik observed that the absence of the lead defence counsel should not ordinarily halt proceedings, especially given the number of lawyers available within the counsel’s chambers.

The judge, however, granted the application, noting that the defence was still within the allowable number of adjournments permitted by the court.

The case was subsequently adjourned to June 23, 2026, for continuation of trial.