Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami
Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about ₦213.2 billion, following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite, who directed that the assets be temporarily taken over by the Federal Government pending the determination of an ongoing investigation.
The properties are allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and are spread across Abuja, Kebbi State and Kano State.
According to court documents, the seized assets include luxury homes, hotels, schools, factories, filling stations, shopping plazas, farmlands and large commercial facilities. Many of the properties are described as multi-billion-naira investments, some acquired over several years.
In Abuja, the assets listed include high-end buildings in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Garki, Jabi, Gwarimpa and Apo Legislative Quarters, with some properties currently operating as hotels, shopping complexes and residential estates.
In Kebbi State, a significant number of the assets are linked to Rayhaan-branded institutions, including Rayhaan University (permanent, temporary and additional sites), schools, agro-allied factories, staff quarters, hotels, a printing press, radio station, energy tanker garage and other commercial facilities.
The assets also include private residences allegedly belonging to Malami and members of his family.
The court papers further list properties in Kano State, including hotels with over 100 rooms, a luxury hotel complex near Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, a gym facility and associated structures.
Justice Nwite ruled that the EFCC had made a strong enough case at this stage to warrant an interim forfeiture, stressing that the order does not amount to a final decision on ownership.
The judge directed that the properties be preserved and not sold or transferred while investigations and possible legal proceedings continue.
The court also ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice, inviting any interested party to appear and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC alleges that the properties were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities, a claim the former Attorney-General is yet to respond to publicly.
The matter has been adjourned to a later date for further proceedings.
