Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Former AGF Abubakar Malami

 Landmark Victory for EFCC: 

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Former AGF Abubakar Malami

In a landmark ruling on July 15, 2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the final forfeiture of 48 high-value properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government . The ruling marks one of the largest single-asset recoveries in Nigeria’s anti-corruption history.

The court held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully established that the assets—valued at approximately N212.8 billion—were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities . Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that "the issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties" .

List of Forfeited Properties

The forfeited assets span the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, including:

Educational and Media Institutions

· Rayhaan University, Kebbi State (Permanent, Temporary, and Third Sites, VC’s residence)

· Rayhaan Radio, Birnin Kebbi 

Luxury Hotels and Commercial Properties in Abuja

· Meethaq Hotels Ltd (Jabi – 53 rooms; Maitama – 15 rooms) 

· Former Harmonia Hotels, No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Garki 

· Luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama 

· Terraces at Property No. 3130, Asokoro District

· Shops at Citiscape-Shariff Plaza and Vegas Mall, Wuse II 

Residential Estates

· Properties in BUA Estate, EFAB Estate (Gwarimpa), Apo Legislative Quarters 

· Houses in Kaduna (Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA) and Kano (Nasarawa GRA) 

Kebbi State Assets

· Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory (buildings, machines, staff quarters, mosque)

· Azbir Arena (Hotel, Printing Press, Gallery, Gardens, Mosque, Clothing, Pharmacy/Supermarket)

· Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage; Amasdul Oil and Gas filling station

· Commercial plaza, warehouses, and 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road 

Kano State Assets

· Zeennoor Hotel (131 rooms), Zeennoor Mosque, and old Zeennoor Hotel building 

How the Court Proceeded

The proceedings began on January 6, 2026, when Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion by EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) . The EFCC subsequently published the interim order in national dailies, inviting interested parties to show cause why final forfeiture should not be granted .

Malami, his family members (wife Nana Hadiza Malami and son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami), and associated companies filed objections, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and arguing the properties were lawfully acquired and declared in asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau .

Court’s Rationale

Relying on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the court held that the respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden placed on them—they could not show legitimate sources of funds used to acquire the properties .

The court noted that in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings, respondents must provide evidence of lawful acquisition, not merely make bare assertions of ownership . Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the respondents "not dislodged the reasonable suspicion that the property was acquired by unlawful activities" . However, nine of the original 57 properties were excluded from the final forfeiture where credible ownership explanations were provided .

Other Notable EFCC Forfeitures

The EFCC has recorded several similar forfeiture victories:

February 2026: Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered final forfeiture of approximately N850 million, luxury properties (six-bedroom duplex in Amuwo-Odofin, two plots of land), and two vehicles linked to Stanley Akaria Chinemerem, who defrauded his employer of about N850 million while earning a monthly salary of N90,000 .

January 2026: Justice Emeka Nwite granted interim forfeiture of N30.7 million suspected proceeds of fraud linked to NNPC officials, following petitions alleging fraudulent activities involving high-profile NNPC staff and a Bureau de Change operator .

Malami’s Separate Criminal Trial

Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Hajia Bashir Asabe are facing a separate 16-count money laundering charge over allegations of laundering about N9 billion in public funds . They have pleaded not guilty.

This judgment represents a significant victory for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and clarifies that claims of ownership alone cannot shield assets reasonably suspected to have been acquired through illicit means .

This publication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For inquiries, contact the editorial team at IgbeNews.

Bosupo Afolabi for IgbeNews.