A prosecution witness in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Zenith Bank filed Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) on transactions linked to the former minister’s accounts.
The witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with the bank, made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Malami is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, concealment, and laundering of N8.7 billion believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
During cross-examination, the witness acknowledged that the transactions complied with Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines but stated that the bank was still obligated to file suspicious transaction reports.
“We had to file Suspicious Transaction Reports. We did file,” the witness told the court.
The court also heard that suspicious reports are usually triggered by repetitive or unusual transaction patterns, which must be escalated to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Justice Abdulmalik later adjourned the case until May 22 for continuation of trial.