A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of more than 40 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in a major victory for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Wednesday after holding that the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities.
The court dismissed several applications and motions filed by Malami, his family members and companies linked to the assets, describing them as lacking merit.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the central issue before the court was not ownership of the properties but whether the funds used to acquire them were legitimate. She held that the respondents failed to disprove the EFCC’s claim that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The judge relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act in granting the final forfeiture order. However, she lifted the interim forfeiture order on some of the properties.
The EFCC began the civil forfeiture proceedings in January, seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about ₦212.8 billion, alleging they were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami.
An interim forfeiture order was granted on January 16 by Justice Emeka Nwite, who also directed the anti-graft agency to publish the order for interested parties to challenge the action.
Malami, his wife Nana Hadiza Malami, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami and several companies subsequently filed objections, insisting the assets were lawfully acquired and arguing that the EFCC failed to establish any criminal link to the properties.
During the proceedings, the EFCC maintained that investigations showed the assets were held through individuals and companies acting as fronts for Malami. The commission argued that civil forfeiture proceedings require proof based on reasonable suspicion rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt.
After adopting their final written addresses in May, the court reserved judgment before eventually delivering its decision after two adjournments.
Among the forfeited assets are luxury residential properties and hotels in Abuja, including buildings in Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Wuse II and Gwarimpa, as well as commercial properties and land in Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna.
The list also includes hotels, warehouses, shopping plazas, agricultural facilities, factories, filling stations, a tanker garage, large parcels of land, and the assets of Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Arena and Zeennoor Hotel.
The ruling marks one of the largest civil asset forfeiture decisions involving a former senior public official in Nigeria.
