EFCC seeks final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami

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 (SAN).

In a motion filed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) argued that the respondents failed to provide any credible reason for the court to reverse the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.

The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, and several companies purportedly connected to the assets as respondents.

The EFCC is seeking the final forfeiture under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.

Okutepa told the court that the matter is a non-conviction-based forfeiture, stressing that the law empowers the court to order the final forfeiture since the interim order—published in THISDAY on January 9, 2026—was not sufficiently challenged.

An affidavit by EFCC investigator Daniel Adebayo revealed that the agency received several petitions alleging corruption, fraud, and abuse of office by the former minister. Investigations included scrutiny of bank records, CBN documents, and inquiries from CAC, FIRS, CCB, AGIS, and land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano.

Adebayo stated that Malami’s declared earnings from 2015 to 2023—comprising N89.6m in salaries, N12.1m severance pay, and N253.6m in estacode payments—were grossly inconsistent with the value of the assets under probe.

He also noted that many of the properties lacked building approvals and were allegedly acquired through proxies and corporate fronts.

The disputed assets, spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna, include properties linked to Rayhaan University in Kebbi. The EFCC estimates their total value at N213.2 billion.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to April 21 for hearing.

The matter originated from a January 8, 2026 interim order issued by Justice Emeka Nwite, which temporarily forfeited the 57 properties to the Federal Government and directed the EFCC to publish the order for any interested parties to show cause.

Malami and his co-respondents subsequently asked the court to vacate the interim order, leading to the present motion.