A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday admitted nine documentary exhibits in the ongoing alleged money laundering trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, admitted the documents after they were tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through its fourth prosecution witness.

Malami is standing trial alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, on an amended 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and alleged laundering of N8.7bn.

The anti-graft agency told the court that the offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During proceedings, the prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, informed the court that the documents were obtained following a request from the EFCC.

He explained that the bank provided both electronic and hard copies of account records linked to the defendants and several companies, including Rayhaan Hotels Limited and Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited.

According to the witness, the exhibits consist mainly of account opening documents and transaction statements covering several years of financial activities.

Bata disclosed that one of the accounts recorded total credits of over N383.6m between 2016 and 2023, while earlier transactions between 2012 and 2015 showed inflows exceeding N560.5m.

He further told the court that significant transactions were traced to the accounts, including a N194.7m inflow in November 2020 and multiple deposits amounting to hundreds of millions of naira in 2022.

The witness added that the documents reflected several other transactions running into billions of naira within the period under review.

Defence counsel, J. B. Daudu, initially objected to the admissibility of the documents, citing discrepancies in dates, but the court overruled the objection and admitted them as Exhibits D1 to D9.

Following the testimony, the defence requested more time to review the documents ahead of cross-examination.

Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and adjourned the case to May 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

The post Court Admits Nine Exhibits In Malami Money Laundering Trial appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The suit, lodged before an Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, accuses Adeyanju of using his online platforms to circulate reckless and damaging claims against Obi.

In his filing, Obi is seeking ₦1 billion in general damages and ₦500 million in exemplary damages, alongside a court order compelling Adeyanju to issue a public apology for the alleged defamation.

Responding to the lawsuit, Adeyanju confirmed the development in a message shared with DAILY POST, saying he was “happy and relieved” that Obi had followed through with his legal threat.

“Finally, Peter Obi has sued me. I am actually happy and relieved that he didn’t chicken out in the end. Interestingly, he dragged me all the way to Anambra State, even though he is almost always in Abuja where I reside. But no shaking, we move,” Adeyanju said.

The case marks one of the most high-profile defamation suits involving a political figure and a social activist in recent months.

The post Just In: Peter Obi Sues Deji Adeyanju, Seeks ₦1.5 Billion in Damages appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Ogun State Government has charged two traditional rulers with land grabbing, vowing to curb illegal land seizures regardless of status.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), said on Tuesday that the Onijoko of Ijoko Ota, Oba Fatai Matanmi, and the Olu of Orile-Igbon, Igbesa, Oba Yusuff Olasunkanmi, are facing charges of “forceful takeover of land and forcible entry contrary to law.”

According to the state, Oba Matanmi allegedly resold land previously bought by a late Madam Irokosu in 1976, and later harassed the complainant who had lawfully purchased it in 2016. “Although this claim was bogus, the complainant paid N5,000,000 to Oba Matanmi to let peace reign, but the Oba continued to harass the complainant,” the statement said, adding that the matter is before HCT/84R/2025: The State v. Oba Fatai Matanmi.

Oba Olasunkanmi is accused of using a judgment against third parties to unlawfully appropriate land more than a kilometre from the judgment area, allegedly displacing legitimate occupants. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

The government also charged Chief Lekan Agbogun and Chief Akinbowale Beckley for allegedly selling another person’s property in Abeokuta to an overseas buyer without title documents, despite an existing building on the land.

“While these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the state has filed these charges as a further demonstration of its commitment to tackling land grabbing,” Ogungbade said. “No matter the personalities involved, where the facts warrant, the state will resist and redress all land-grabbing actions that come to its notice.”

The post Ogun Files Land-Grabbing Charges Against Two Monarchs appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The case, which was before Justice Suleiman Belgore on Wednesday, involves a nine-count charge brought by the Federal Government, accusing the defendants of conspiracy and fraudulent dealings tied to plots of land in the Sabon Lugbe East Layout of Abuja.

According to court filings, the alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2024. The prosecution claims that the group illegally acquired and manipulated documents for plots numbered 461 to 470 and 486 to 496, to deceive a private firm, Etha Ventures Limited.

Among those named in the charge are Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael, alongside five companies: Super Structure Limited, Bonatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited, and Asher Information Services Limited.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, informed the court that efforts to enforce an arrest warrant previously issued on May 27 had so far been unsuccessful. He requested more time for security agencies to locate and produce the defendants for trial.

Although the accused were not physically present in court, several had legal representatives in attendance. Counsel for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 9th defendants, Mr. C.S. Ekeocha, argued that his clients had not been formally served with the charge before the bench warrant was issued. He submitted motions seeking to overturn the warrant and for the court to grant bail following their eventual arraignment.

Similarly, Mr. E.E. Apeh, representing the 3rd defendant, also filed applications to challenge the bench warrant, urging the court to rule on the matter before proceeding further.

In response, Mr. Kaswe maintained that the defendants had deliberately evaded court summons, stating that the presence of their lawyers showed they were aware of the charges and had opted not to appear.

In a short ruling, Justice Belgore held that the defence’s submissions implied that the defendants had knowledge of the ongoing case and the order for their appearance. He ordered that all accused persons must be in court on June 23 to enter their pleas.

The case continues to draw public attention, particularly because of Mr. Eriki’s senior role within the FCTA and the allegations of high-level manipulation involving public office and property documentation.

The post Court Sets June 23 for Arraignment of FCTA Director, Others in Alleged Land Fraud Case appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, CHRICED criticised what it described as troubling signs of impunity in the enforcement of legal rulings. The organisation pointed to continued occupation of Plot 4022 in Abuja’s Guzape district by an individual accused in a land fraud case—despite an existing court order for the property’s forfeiture.

The group expressed concern that law enforcement agents allegedly providing cover for the suspect may be undermining judicial authority. “The situation, if verified, could reflect a breach of legal protocol under Section 126 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code,” CHRICED noted.

Allegations in the case include criminal trespass, forgery, and fraudulent acquisition of property. CHRICED drew attention to wider implications, warning that public trust in the rule of law is at risk if court decisions are not respected.

The group called for the immediate withdrawal of any police personnel linked to the ongoing occupation and urged relevant institutions, including the EFCC, to act independently and thoroughly. It also pressed oversight bodies such as the National Assembly, Police Service Commission, and Code of Conduct Bureau to probe alleged misconduct.

CHRICED further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and without bias. The group stated that failure to correct the situation may prompt it to pursue legal and civic channels to ensure compliance and accountability.

The post Human Rights Group Demands Accountability in Land Case Involving Elderly Widow appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a letter by its lawyers dated Friday, 19^th January, 2024 and received by the Minister which is sighted the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects expressed that inaugurating new Council members for ARCON while an Appeal is pending at the Court of Appeal over membership status of an entity invited to nominate members will be violating the rule of law which the Minister swore to uphold.

The Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects had instituted a civil suit with Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/1085/2021 between The Incorporated Trustees of Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects vs. Architects Registration Council of Nigeria & 6 Ors where it alleged that the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (as 3^rd Defendant) registered in November, 2013 with the Corporate Affairs Commission usurped the roles assigned to a Nigerian Institute of Architects mentioned under the Architects (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. A19, L.F.N., 2004; and its activities of establishing and operating a tertiary educational institution contrary to the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act were illegal and promoted quackery in the architectural profession. In furtherance of its usurpation of the Nigerian Institute of Architects mentioned under the Architects (Registration, etc.) Act, the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Architects also nominates its members to constitute ARCON which is a subject of the suit now on appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The Association also alleged that the Minister of Housing & Urban Development who is the supervising Minister for architectural profession in Nigeria has, through his officers and in concert with the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Institute of Architects concluded plans to reconstitute and inaugurate ARCON on Tuesday, 23^rd January, 2024 while the subject of constitution of members of ARCON, among other issues, has not yet been finally resolved by the court before whom the case is pending.

The Minister was further reminded of the position of the law in Gov., Lagos State vs. Ojukwu (1986) 1 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 18) p. 621 @ 637 to the effect that where a suit is pending, all activities affecting the res are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the case is pending, and the hands of the defendant who has notice are effectually tied pending a hearing and determination even though no restraining order be issued. The Letter which was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice and signed by C.E.C. Njoku, Esq. (Counsel to Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects) cautioned the Minister to be wary of participating in conducts that will run contrary to the staunch commitment to the defence of the rule of law of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration by inaugurating the new Council members of ARCON on Tuesday, 23^rd January, 2024. It ended by asserting his willingness to carrying out his client’s instruction of initiating contempt proceedings against the Minister, among other options, should the Minister defiantly proceed with the inauguration and reconstitution of ARCON.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Police declare owners of building wanted

Source: thenigerialawyer

The post Architects’ Association Warns Minister Against Inaugurating ARCON Amid Court Case appeared first on Housing TV Africa.