Court Told Zenith Bank Filed Suspicious Transaction Report on Malami’s Accounts as EFCC Trial Continues
The Fourth Prosecution Witness (PW4) in the ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Zenith Bank Plc raised a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) concerning transactions linked to his accounts.
The testimony was given on Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, on a 16-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, and money laundering involving an alleged ₦8.7 billion.
The witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, made the disclosure while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Adebayo Adedeji, SAN.
He confirmed that although the transactions complied with Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines, the bank still escalated certain activity through an STR due to its internal compliance obligations.
According to him, “we had to file Suspicious Transaction Report. We did file.”
During re-examination, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, sought clarification on the meaning of a Suspicious Transaction Report, a request the defence opposed on the grounds that the witness had already given clear testimony.
However, Justice Abdulmalik overruled the objection and allowed the witness to respond.
Explaining further, the witness said suspicious transactions are typically flagged when there is a pattern or repetition that requires escalation to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
He added that compliance officers are required to report such activities to relevant authorities and are not necessarily the account officers or relationship managers of the affected customers.
The witness was subsequently discharged after both parties concluded their examinations.
The court adjourned the matter to May 22, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Court Told Zenith Bank Filed Suspicious Transaction Report on Malami’s Accounts as EFCC Trial Continues