A prosecution witness in the ongoing alleged N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Zenith Bank Plc filed Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) concerning transactions linked to the former minister’s accounts.
The witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, during cross-examination by defence counsel, Adebayo Adedeji, SAN.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, on an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, concealing, disguising and laundering alleged proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.
The charges were filed under the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During proceedings, defence counsel asked the witness whether all deposits reflected in the account statements complied with guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Responding, the witness answered in the affirmative but added that the bank nonetheless filed Suspicious Transaction Reports regarding the transactions.
“But we had to file Suspicious Transaction Report. We did file,” the witness stated.
Under re-examination, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, sought clarification on the meaning of a Suspicious Transaction Report. The defence objected, arguing that the witness’s earlier testimony was already clear and required no further explanation.
Okutepa, however, relied on Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act and urged the court to permit the question in the interest of clarity.
Justice Abdulmalik overruled the objection and directed the witness to respond.
Explaining the process, the witness stated: “Any deposition of funds seen in a pattern or repetitive, you must escalate it to the NFIU.”
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit is responsible for analysing and disseminating financial intelligence reports aimed at combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
The witness also informed the court that his responsibilities as a compliance officer primarily involve handling correspondences from law enforcement agencies. He clarified that he neither served as the account officer nor the relationship manager for the accounts under investigation.
Following the conclusion of his testimony and the absence of further questions from both parties, the court discharged the witness.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until May 22, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.
