The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to grant a final forfeiture order on 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, arguing that they are proceeds of unlawful activities.
The anti-graft agency, in a motion filed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, said the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court. The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami alongside several individuals and companies as respondents.
EFCC’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa and Ekele Iheanacho, argued that the court has the statutory authority to order permanent forfeiture under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, in a non-conviction-based proceeding.
According to the commission, the interim forfeiture order, which was published in THISDAY newspaper on January 9, 2026, was not adequately contested within the stipulated period.
In an affidavit, EFCC investigating officer Daniel Adebayo said the agency carried out extensive investigations involving multiple government bodies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau and land registries in several states.
He stated that Malami’s total legitimate earnings between 2015 and 2023 — comprising salaries, severance and travel allowances — were significantly lower than the estimated value of the properties under investigation, raising suspicion about their source of funding.
The EFCC further alleged that some of the assets were acquired through proxies and companies linked to the former minister, including entities associated with the Rayhaan Group. It also claimed that several properties located in Kano and Kebbi states lacked proper building approvals, suggesting attempts to conceal the origin of funds.
The properties targeted for forfeiture are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states, including sites linked to Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for hearing of the motion. The case follows an earlier interim forfeiture order granted on January 6 by Justice Emeka Nwite, who directed that the order be published to allow interested parties to challenge it within 14 days. The matter was later reassigned after another judge recused himself.
Malami and other respondents have challenged the proceedings, asking the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order.
