The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant a final forfeiture order on 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
In a motion filed by its legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), the anti-graft agency argued that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn the interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, and several companies allegedly connected to the assets as respondents.
Relying on provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, the EFCC is seeking a final order to permanently transfer ownership of the properties to the Federal Government, stating that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Arguing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, Okutepa described the case as a non-conviction-based forfeiture proceeding, noting that the court has the legal authority to grant the request.
He explained that the court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order, which was subsequently published in a national newspaper, but no convincing reason had been presented to stop the final forfeiture.
According to an affidavit filed by EFCC investigator Daniel Adebayo, the commission began its probe following multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud against the former minister.
The investigation involved reviewing financial records from banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, as well as inquiries from agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System.
Land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states were also examined, while the properties were physically verified and assessed. Individuals connected to the transactions were invited for questioning.
The EFCC stated that Malami’s total earnings while in office between 2015 and 2023—including salaries, allowances, and estacodes—did not match the value of the assets under investigation.
The commission further alleged that several of the properties were acquired through proxies and companies linked to the former minister, and that many structures lacked proper building approvals, suggesting an attempt to conceal the source of funds.
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The properties, spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, are valued at about ₦213.2 billion. Some of the assets are also linked to Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for the hearing of the motion.
The case follows an earlier ruling on January 8, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted an interim forfeiture order after an ex parte application by the EFCC. The court had directed the temporary forfeiture of the properties and ordered that the decision be made public to allow interested parties to challenge it within 14 days.
Malami and the other respondents later contested the interim forfeiture, asking the court to set it aside.
