By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, ordered the final forfeiture of 57 properties valued at N212.8 billion allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application after ruling that Malami, his family members and associated companies failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
Court Backs EFCC’s Application
Justice Abdulmalik relied mainly on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act in granting the final forfeiture order.
The judge ruled that the case centered on the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire the properties rather than ownership alone.
According to the court, the respondents failed to disprove the EFCC’s allegations that the assets originated from unlawful activities.
However, the judge lifted the interim forfeiture order on some properties. She directed that only the assets covered by the final judgment should transfer to the Federal Government.
Before delivering the judgment, the court dismissed several motions and applications filed by Malami, his family members and companies linked to the properties. The court described the applications as lacking merit.
EFCC Began Proceedings in January 2026
The EFCC commenced civil forfeiture proceedings in January 2026, seeking the permanent forfeiture of the properties.
On January 16, 2026, during the Federal High Court’s annual vacation, Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order.
The court later directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper. The publication invited anyone with an interest in the assets to appear and explain why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Following the publication, Malami, his wife, Nana Hadiza Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and several companies challenged the proceedings.
Malami Challenges EFCC’s Allegations
The respondents urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application and reverse the interim forfeiture order.
They argued that they lawfully acquired the properties and that the EFCC failed to establish any link between the assets and criminal activities.
According to their submissions, the anti-graft agency relied on speculation instead of credible evidence.
They also argued that the EFCC neither identified any specific offence nor proved that the properties represented proceeds of crime.
EFCC Insists Assets Came from Unlawful Activities
The EFCC maintained that its investigation uncovered evidence showing the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The commission further argued that Malami held some of the assets directly, while others were held through individuals and companies acting as fronts.
The anti-graft agency urged the court to make the interim forfeiture permanent, stressing that civil forfeiture proceedings require proof of reasonable suspicion rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt.
After parties adopted their final written addresses in May 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment.
The court initially fixed July 6 for judgment before moving the date to July 10. It eventually delivered the ruling on July 15, 2026.
Luxury Properties Among Forfeited Assets
The forfeited assets include Rayhaan University buildings, agro-allied factory structures, machinery, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, schools, filling stations, commercial shops and residential properties.
One of the major assets is a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Plot 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja.
The property was purchased in December 2022 for N500 million. It is now valued at N5.95 billion after improvements.
The list also includes the former Harmonia Hotels Limited at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
The two-winged building was reportedly acquired in December 2018 for N7 billion.
Hotels and Commercial Assets Listed
Another significant property is Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja, now operating as Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Limited.
The hotel has 53 rooms and suites.
Records presented by the EFCC show the property was acquired at carcass stage in September 2020 for N850 million.
An additional N300 million was reportedly spent on completion, raising its estimated value to N8.4 billion.
The forfeiture list also includes Meethaq Hotels Limited on Rhine Street, Maitama.
The hotel was purchased in February 2018 for N430 million and is now valued at N12.95 billion following rehabilitation.
Properties Spread Across Four States
The properties are located across the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna states.
Among them are:
- A terrace building at Property No. 3130, Asokoro District, Abuja.
- Commercial property at No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano.
- Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano.
- A 100-hectare parcel of land along Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road.
- A four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi.
- Shops at Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja.
- Properties in Bua Estate, Gwarimpa, Wuse, Apo, Karsana and Gudu.
- A four-bedroom bungalow with boys’ quarters at Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna.
The Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative, an organisation linked to Malami, also had residential buildings and parcels of land at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi listed among the forfeited assets.
Court Concludes Respondents Failed to Rebut Suspicion
Justice Abdulmalik concluded that the respondents failed to dislodge the reasonable suspicion established by the EFCC.
The court therefore granted the final forfeiture order covering the affected properties, transferring them to the Federal Government in accordance with the law.
