The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to order the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The anti-graft agency told the court that the former minister and other respondents failed to provide sufficient reasons why the assets, valued at approximately N213.2 billion, should not be handed over permanently to the Federal Government.
The motion on notice, filed by the EFCC’s legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Court Fixed April 21 for Hearing
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.
The case stems from an earlier interim forfeiture order granted on January 8, 2026, by another judge of the same court, Justice Emeka Nwite. That order temporarily forfeited the 57 properties to the Federal Government and directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper. Interested parties were given 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
Following that interim order, Malami and other respondents challenged the proceedings and asked the court to set aside the order.
What the EFCC Is Asking the Court to Do
In the latest motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, the EFCC is seeking “a final order of this honourable court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the properties described in the schedule below, which were found by the commission as properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The commission brought the application under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
Arguing the motion, Okutepa told the court that this is a non-conviction-based forfeiture proceeding, meaning the EFCC does not need to secure a criminal conviction before the assets can be forfeited. He said the court has the statutory authority to grant the relief sought.
Okutepa added: “This honourable court made an interim order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The order of the honourable court has been published in a national daily, namely THISDAY Newspaper of 9th January, 2026. No sufficient cause has been shown why the properties under the interim forfeiture order should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
What the Investigation Found
An affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator, Daniel Adebayo, detailed the commission’s findings.
Adebayo stated that the EFCC received multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud against the former minister. The investigation involved obtaining financial records from banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, as well as inquiries from the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System.
Land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states were also queried. Assets were physically verified and valued, and individuals linked to the transactions were invited and interviewed.
Malami’s Earnings vs. Value of Assets
The investigator stated that Malami’s earnings while in office between 2015 and 2023 were not commensurate with the value of the assets under investigation.
According to the affidavit, Malami was paid a total of N89,664,000.00 as salary over his eight years in office, with an average monthly payment of N962,663.68. He also received a severance allowance of N12,158,400.00 at the end of his tenure.
Additionally, Malami received estacode allowances to cover travel expenses on official trips outside the country. In a letter written to the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau in June 2023 as an addendum to his assets declaration form, Malami calculated and declared a total sum of N253,608,500.00 as the amount he received for official trips between 2015 and 2023.
“The commission found that aside from the actual acquisition of the properties which are manifestly disproportionate to Mr Malami SAN’s known and lawful sources of income, no building permits or approvals from appropriate authorities were obtained to erect most of the various structures in Kano and Kebbi states as part of a scheme to disguise the unlawful origin of the funds used to acquire the assets,” the affidavit read.
Properties Listed for Forfeiture
The EFCC listed 57 landed properties spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The assets include properties tied to Rayhaan University in Kebbi State.
The commission alleged that some of the properties were acquired through proxies and corporate entities linked to the former minister.
The respondents listed in the motion include Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, and several companies allegedly linked to the assets.
Background of the Case
Malami served as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Following the interim forfeiture order in January, he and other respondents challenged the proceedings and asked the court to set aside the order.
However, with the EFCC now pushing for final forfeiture, the case is set for a decisive hearing on April 21. The outcome will determine whether the Federal Government permanently takes possession of the 57 properties or whether Malami and the other respondents succeed in reclaiming them.
What Happens Next
All eyes are now on Justice Abdulmalik’s courtroom. On April 21, the EFCC will present its final arguments for permanent forfeiture, while Malami and the other respondents will have the opportunity to defend their ownership of the assets.
If the court grants the final forfeiture order, the 57 properties will become property of the Federal Government. If the court rules in favour of Malami and the other respondents, the interim forfeiture order will be set aside, and the assets will be returned to them.
For now, the properties remain under interim forfeiture pending the court’s final decision.
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