The absence of Joseph Daudu, counsel to Abubakar Malami, on Friday stalled the trial of the former Attorney-General of the Federation over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charges. 

Mr Malami, who was also the former Minister of Justice, is charged alongside his wife, Hajiya Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The matter, which was fixed for the continuation of the trial before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, could not proceed because Mr Daudu was not in court.

Although the EFCC lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, was in court, including the defendants, their lawyer was absent.

It was, however, learned that Mr Daudu had earlier written to the court seeking an adjournment of the case.

In view of the development, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until June 23 for the continuation of the trial.

The two prosecution witnesses had, on March 16, told the court how millions of Naira were paid into companies’ accounts linked to Mr Malami, his wife and son.

The trio are standing trial on 16-count money laundering charges involving N8. 7 billion.

The anti-graft agency had, on March 6, opened its case against the defendants by calling its 1st prosecution witness (PW-1), David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.

Mr Malami, his wife and son were rearraigned on February 27 over an 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 shall deposit his or her title deeds of a landed property located at Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, to the registrar of the court.

The judge, who ordered the defendants to also deposit their international passports with the court, had since perfected their bail conditions.

(NAN)