Zenith Bank Reports Suspicious Transactions in Malami Trial

The trial of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami continued on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. During the proceedings, a compliance officer testified that Zenith Bank filed suspicious transaction reports concerning accounts associated with Malami.

He is on trial alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asab, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, facing 16 counts of conspiracy and money laundering involving N8.7 billion. The defense counsel, Adebayo Adedeji, questioned the necessity of further explanations regarding the suspicious transaction reports, which the prosecution, represented by J.S.

Okutepa, argued were justified under Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the defense's objections, emphasizing the bank's obligation to report unusual transaction patterns.

The court was informed that the compliance officer's role primarily involved responding to requests from law enforcement agencies. The trial was adjourned until May 22 for further proceedings.