Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Ex-Justice Minister Malami

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about ₦213 billion, allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after hearing an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN. The properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and have been forfeited temporarily to the Federal Government pending further proceedings.

The assets, located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, include luxury residential buildings, hotels, commercial plazas, warehouses, shops, and large parcels of land. Although the ruling was delivered on Tuesday, a certified copy of the order became public on Wednesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

In his ruling, Justice Nwite directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the properties to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be granted.

The judge adjourned the matter to a later date in January for a report on compliance with the court’s directives.

Among the listed assets are high-value properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Garki, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gwarimpa, and Karsana in Abuja; luxury homes and commercial buildings in Kano and Kaduna; as well as extensive landholdings and developments in Kebbi State. Several of the properties were acquired between 2016 and 2024, with some valued in billions of naira after renovation and enhancement.

Meanwhile, Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are standing trial before the same court over alleged money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion. The EFCC, in a 16-count charge, accused the defendants of conspiracy, concealment of illicit funds, and acquisition of properties believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The alleged offences, according to the anti-graft agency, were committed between 2015 and 2025, a period that includes Malami’s eight-year tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The EFCC further alleged that the defendants used bank accounts and corporate entities to disguise the origin of the funds, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022. The trial is ongoing.