A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday, following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through counsel Ekele Iheanacho, the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed.
Properties Valued at Over N213 Billion
The properties, located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and are collectively valued at approximately N213.2 billion. Justice Nwite directed that these assets be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government, pending further proceedings.
“It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” the judge ruled.
The EFCC has been instructed to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, allowing any interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited. The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance.
Scope of the Forfeited Assets
The assets include a wide range of real estate and commercial properties:
Luxury residential duplexes in Maitama, Abuja, valued at N5.95 billion after enhancement.
Hotels and schools, including the former Harmonia Hotels Limited and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, with current valuations of up to N12.95 billion.
Commercial plazas, shops, warehouses, and large parcels of land, spanning Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.
Smaller residential properties, bungalows, and warehouse shops acquired between 2016 and 2024, with individual values ranging from N40 million to N360 million.
The listed properties cover university buildings, filling stations, factories, and additional plots of land totaling hundreds of hectares, highlighting the extensive reach of the assets in question.
Pending Trial for Alleged Money Laundering
Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz are currently standing trial before Justice Nwite over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering. The interim forfeiture adds to ongoing legal scrutiny over their financial dealings, signaling the government’s commitment to recovering suspected illicit funds.
“The listed properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, and this interim forfeiture is a step toward ensuring accountability and restitution to the Federal Government,” EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said.
Next Steps
The EFCC will monitor the properties and report compliance to the court on the next scheduled date, January 27, 2026. Interested parties, including potential heirs or business associates, are expected to respond to the court notice within 14 days, after which permanent forfeiture proceedings may commence.
The court’s order represents one of the largest asset recovery initiatives linked to a former senior government official in Nigeria, reinforcing anti-corruption measures and financial accountability in the court.
