Meet Abdulaziz Malami: Son of Nigeria’s former Attorney-General arraigned over N8.7bn money laundering

Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s minister of justice and attorney-general

Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami is a Nigerian lawyer and business executive with interests in real estate, hospitality, and investment management.

He is the son of Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

He serves as a board member of Rayhaan University and holds leadership roles within the Rayhaan Group and its subsidiaries, including Azbir Properties, Azbir Hotels, Rayhaan Bustan, and Rayhaan Hotels, where he is involved in strategic planning, project execution, and corporate development.

Abdulaziz earned an LL.B from Near East University in Cyprus and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2021. He also holds a Ph.D. in Accounting and Finance from the University of Strathclyde, a Master’s degree in Finance from Boston College, and an MBA in Taxation from Golden Gate University.

He has been involved in the development and management of real estate and hospitality projects under the Rayhaan Group and has experience in project financing and corporate rebranding, leading the group’s rebranding in 2022. His business ventures also include oil and gas, education, construction, mining, telecommunications, agriculture, and hospitality. He is married to Khadijah Abdul Jalil Dambata; they were married in Kano State in July 2020.

Money Laundering Charges

Abdulaziz Malami, his father Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, were arraigned in November 2022 in Abuja on charges of money laundering. According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly disguised the unlawful origin of N500 million paid to Efab Properties Ltd for the purchase of a duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja, in favor of Abubakar Malami, SAN. The charges cite Section 18(2)(a) and Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants face a 16-count charge of money laundering. As of December 2025, both Abdulaziz and his father have pleaded not guilty. The case is ongoing, with the next court proceedings scheduled for January 5, 2026.

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