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BREAKING: Court Sends Ex-AG Malami, Son to Kuje Prison, Adjourns Bail Hearing to January 2

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BREAKING: Court Sends Ex-AG Malami, Son to Kuje Prison, Adjourns Bail Hearing to January 2—-A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday fixed January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son and one other defendant.

The court also ordered that Malami and his son together with the third defendant  be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail requests.

Malami, his son and another defendant were earlier arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, unlawful acquisition of assets and conspiracy.

A video posted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on X on Tuesday morning showed the former Attorney-General present in court as the charges were read.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the arraignment, counsel to the defendants informed the court of their intention to apply for bail, prompting the trial judge to adjourn the case and order their remand in custody.

Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was one of the most influential officials in the administration.

The case has drawn significant public attention, as it represents one of the most high-profile prosecutions involving a former senior official of the Buhari government.

The matter will continue on January 2, when the court is expected to hear and rule on the bail applications.

On Tuesday, Malami appeared alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an ally, Hajia Bashir Asabe.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when read before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The charges, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accuse the former chief law officer of Nigeria of abusing his office to funnel suspicious funds through private companies, property deals and bank transactions he “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to court filings obtained by SaharaReporters, the EFCC alleges that Malami used fronts and corporate entities — including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd — to launder public funds while in office.

One of the charges claims Malami and his son procured over N1,014,848,500 through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd between July 2022 and June 2025 to conceal the origin of funds in a Sterling Bank account.

Another alleges he used N600,000,000 as collateral to secure a loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite allegedly knowing the money was suspicious.

Multiple counts accuse the defendants of using Properties company and Bureau De Change operators to disguise payments for high-end properties in Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Kano, including: N500m luxury duplex, Amazon Street, Maitama; N700m property, Onitsha Crescent, Garki; N850m Meethaq Hotels, Jabi; N430m Rhine Street property, Maitama; N537m properties in Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi.

Two of the properties were described as “Hamonia Hotels Ltd, Area 11 Garki” and Meethaq Hotels on Rhine Street in Maitama.

In documents tendered to the court as Proof of Evidence, the anti-graft agency listed witnesses including investigators, Bureau De Change operators and bankers.

The EFCC says its officials — Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman — will testify about how petitions and intelligence reports triggered the probe into “monumental corruption” allegedly linked to the former minister.

A witness, Hassan Aliyu, allegedly claims his company’s account was used for suspicious multimillion-naira transactions without his full knowledge.

Despite the weight of the accusations, Malami and his co-defendants insist they are innocent. They entered a not guilty plea, forcing the case into full trial.

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges—-Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged Premier League financial breaches, with sanctions yet to be determined and the club expected to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, bringing a major development to one of the longest-running financial cases in English football.

The reported verdict was delivered by an independent commission following a lengthy hearing into allegations dating back to the 2009-10 season. The Premier League originally charged City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation into the club’s financial affairs.

According to reports from The Athletic and The Times, the independent commission ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the 115 charges.

The allegations covered several areas, including claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information, failed to properly disclose payments to players and coaches, breached UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, and failed to cooperate with the league’s investigation.

Verdict Yet to Be Publicly Released

Despite the reported outcome, the Premier League has not formally published the commission’s verdict.

A Premier League spokesperson told Reuters that the matter remains confidential and the league would not comment on the reported findings. Manchester City also indicated that the process is not yet complete.

City have consistently denied wrongdoing since the charges were brought and are expected to appeal the reported findings.

The club said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

What Were Manchester City Charged With?

The 115 charges relate primarily to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, while separate allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.

Reports indicate that 54 of the charges relate to alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, while another 35 concern alleged failures to cooperate with the investigation.

Further allegations involved the reporting of player and manager compensation as well as alleged breaches of UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

The hearing before the three-person independent commission lasted around 12 weeks and concluded in December 2024. The verdict was then delayed for a prolonged period because of the complexity of the case.

Punishment Has Not Been Decided

Manchester City have not yet been handed a punishment.

The sanctions that could potentially be considered under Premier League rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual punishment will depend on the commission’s findings and the next stages of the process.

The club’s expected appeal could further prolong the case.

For now, the reported verdict represents a dramatic development in a case that has followed Manchester City for more than three years and covers a period in which the club established itself as one of the dominant forces in English football.

Manchester City maintain their position that they have acted properly and have consistently defended themselves against the allegations.

With the verdict reportedly going against the club on 114 of the 115 charges, attention will now turn to the official publication of the commission’s decision, the sanctions, and Manchester City’s expected appeal.

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BREAKING: Haaland Scores Controversial Goal as 10-Men Manchester City Defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford

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BREAKING: Haaland Scores Controversial Goal as 10-Men Manchester City Defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford—-Erling Haaland struck after a lengthy VAR review to hand 10-man Manchester City a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in a fiery Manchester derby.

Manchester City secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Erling Haaland’s controversial second-half goal settling a fiercely contested Manchester derby.

City were forced to play with 10 men for more than an hour after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half for kicking out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Enzo Maresca’s side remained disciplined and eventually found the breakthrough through Haaland.

The decisive moment arrived around the hour mark when Haaland found the net, only for the assistant referee to immediately raise the flag for offside.

However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned and the goal was awarded. Replays showed that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot had played Haaland onside, while Enzo Fernández’s position was deemed not to constitute interference with play.

The decision sparked furious reactions from the home supporters, with Manchester United players also questioning whether Fernández’s position had interfered with their ability to defend the move.

United were handed a major advantage by Foden’s dismissal but failed to capitalise on it. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both struck the woodwork as the hosts desperately searched for an equaliser.

Manchester City’s defence held firm during the closing stages, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a crucial late save to deny Bryan Mbeumo and preserve the visitors’ clean sheet.

The victory was particularly impressive given City’s lengthy spell with 10 men and handed Maresca a huge win in his first Manchester derby as City manager.

For Haaland, the goal continued his remarkable record against Manchester United and proved enough to give City all three points in one of the most controversial derbies in recent years.

The result keeps Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start intact, with the champions moving onto 12 points from four matches, level with Arsenal at the top of the table but behind the Gunners on goal difference. Manchester United, meanwhile, remain on just four points after four matches.

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