Court orders interim forfeiture of ₦213bn properties linked to ex-agf malami
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman.
The multi-billion-naira assets, valued at about ₦213.23 billion, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states. The court ordered that the properties be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigations.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the forfeiture order after hearing an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). In his ruling, the judge held that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means and therefore liable to interim forfeiture.
Justice Nwite further directed that the forfeiture order be published in a national daily newspaper, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the affected assets to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made. The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the court’s directives.
The forfeiture order comes amid ongoing criminal proceedings against Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who are currently facing an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering charge before the same court.
The properties listed for forfeiture include university buildings, agro-allied factories, hotels, filling stations, schools, supermarkets, pharmacies, plazas, warehouses and several luxury residential buildings. Among them are high-value properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Garki, Wuse II and Gwarimpa areas of Abuja, as well as assets in Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
Some of the notable properties include a luxury duplex in Maitama reportedly acquired for ₦500 million and later enhanced to an estimated value of ₦5.95 billion, multiple hotel facilities valued at several billions of naira, large commercial buildings, shopping outlets, residential estates and extensive parcels of land, including over 100 hectares along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.
Also affected are properties linked to Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative, including residential units and land acquired through the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage scheme in Kebbi State.
The EFCC maintains that the assets form part of proceeds allegedly derived from unlawful activities and will pursue a final forfeiture order at the conclusion of the court-mandated process.