The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final court order forfeiting 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday, holding that the anti-graft agency successfully established that the properties were not acquired from legitimate sources of income. The court further ruled that Malami and other respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence showing that the assets were purchased with lawfully earned funds.
Among the properties ordered forfeited are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent and temporary campuses, the Vice Chancellor’s residence, and Rayhaan Radio. Also affected are Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Arena, Azbir Hotel, several commercial businesses, factories, hotels, filling stations, warehouses, residential buildings, and hundreds of hectares of land across Kebbi, Abuja, and Kano states.
The forfeiture also covers luxury properties in Abuja, including hotels in Maitama and Jabi, residential duplexes in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Gwarimpa and Apo Legislative Quarters, as well as commercial plazas, warehouse shops, and multiple housing units acquired through organisations linked to the respondents.
Justice Abdulmalik held that under Nigeria’s non-conviction-based asset forfeiture regime, merely claiming ownership of properties is insufficient. She ruled that respondents must demonstrate the lawful origin of the funds used to acquire such assets, adding that Malami and the other respondents failed to discharge that evidential burden.
The case followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite after an ex parte application filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). In compliance with the court’s directive, the EFCC published notices in national newspapers inviting interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami, alongside 14 family members and associates, challenged both the interim forfeiture order and the court’s jurisdiction, urging the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application. However, after hearing arguments from both sides on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favour of the anti-corruption agency.
The judgment marks one of the largest non-conviction-based asset forfeiture cases secured by the EFCC in recent years, with the 48 forfeited properties now vested in the Federal Government of Nigeria pending any further legal action by the affected parties.
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