The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties valued at over N212 billion and linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)'s application for final forfeiture, dismissing all objections filed by Malami, members of his family, and several companies claiming ownership of the assets.
In her ruling, the judge held that the central issue before the court was not ownership of the properties but the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire them.
"The issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties," Justice Abdulmalik ruled.
The forfeited assets are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States and include luxury hotels, residential estates, duplexes, commercial plazas, warehouses, educational institutions, factories, shopping complexes, and other high-value properties acquired over several years.
The properties were among 57 assets initially seized by the EFCC through an interim forfeiture order. Following Wednesday's judgment, 48 of the properties have now been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, while the remaining assets are subject to separate legal proceedings.
The extensive asset portfolio includes luxury hotels in Maitama and Jabi, Abuja; Rayhaan University and its associated facilities in Kebbi State; agro-allied factories; Azbir Arena and Hotel; schools, residential buildings, commercial properties, warehouses, filling stations, and several high-value real estate investments across the affected states.
The EFCC had argued that the assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, a position the court upheld in granting the final forfeiture order.
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