The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.
The anti-graft agency made the request through a motion on notice filed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, arguing that the respondents failed to present sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, listed Malami alongside several individuals and companies, including Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE and Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, among others, as respondents.
Relying on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, the EFCC argued that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and should be permanently forfeited under non-conviction-based asset forfeiture provisions.
At the hearing, EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa told the court that the interim forfeiture order, which was published in THISDAY newspaper on January 9, 2026, had not been successfully challenged within the required timeframe.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, EFCC investigating officer Daniel Adebayo detailed the agency’s investigation, which involved checks with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau and the Abuja Geographical Information System, as well as visits to multiple sites and asset valuation exercises.
According to the affidavit, Malami’s total lawful earnings between 2015 and 2023—including salary, severance and travel allowances—amounted to about ₦355 million, which the EFCC said was disproportionate to the value of the properties under investigation.
The agency further alleged that some of the assets were acquired through third parties and companies linked to Malami, including entities within the Rayhaan Group, while several structures in Kano State and Kebbi State were said to lack building approvals.
The properties listed in the application are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna State, including temporary and permanent sites associated with Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik fixed April 21 for hearing of the motion. Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order on January 6 and directed its publication to allow interested parties respond within 14 days. The matter was later reassigned after Justice Obiora Egwuatu recused himself from the case.
Malami and other respondents have challenged the suit and are seeking to vacate the interim forfeiture order.
