A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), after ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established reasonable suspicion that the assets were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities. The ruling was delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on July 15.
The forfeited assets, initially valued at more than ₦212 billion, are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna. They include university facilities, hotels, schools, mosques, filling stations, residential properties and other commercial assets. While the EFCC originally sought the forfeiture of 57 properties, the court exempted nine after finding insufficient grounds for seizure.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General between 2015 and 2023, alongside members of his family, challenged the forfeiture proceedings but failed to convince the court that the properties were acquired through legitimate means. Justice Abdulmalik held that the respondents did not sufficiently rebut the EFCC’s evidence under Nigeria’s civil forfeiture laws, including the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
The EFCC described the judgment as a major victory in the fight against illicit wealth, saying the recovered assets will now vest in the Federal Government. Meanwhile, Malami’s legal team has indicated it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
