A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a significant order for the interim forfeiture of 57 properties, valued at approximately N213.23 billion, directly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his two sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami. This groundbreaking decision marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues its efforts to recover assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
What is interim forfeiture in Nigeria? Interim forfeiture in Nigeria is a temporary court order that seizes assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. This allows the government to take control of properties while investigations or trials are ongoing, preventing their dissipation before a final judgment on their ownership.
The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). This legal maneuver sought the temporary forfeiture of these vast assets to the Federal Government, pending the conclusion of further legal proceedings. The properties in question span across major Nigerian states, including Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna, encompassing a diverse portfolio of hotels, educational institutions, shopping plazas, petrol stations, warehouses, residential estates, and extensive land parcels.
Why were Malami’s properties frozen? The properties linked to Malami and his sons were frozen due due to strong suspicions by the EFCC that they represent proceeds derived from unlawful activities. This judicial action is a preventative measure, ensuring that these assets remain under the custody of the Federal Government as investigations and criminal trials related to alleged financial misconduct proceed.
Justice Nwite’s order explicitly stated that the properties listed in Schedule 1 are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” thereby mandating their interim forfeiture. This legal step underscores the judiciary’s commitment to supporting anti-graft agencies in their mandate to combat economic and financial crimes within the country. The scale of the forfeited assets highlights the depth of the allegations being investigated.
Following the interim forfeiture, the court directed that the order be widely published in a national daily. This crucial step serves to invite any interested parties to challenge the action within 14 days of the publication, providing a legal avenue for those who believe they have legitimate claims to the properties. This transparency ensures due process, allowing for potential objections before a final forfeiture order is considered.
The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the court’s directives. This timeline allows for the completion of the required public notices and the submission of any potential objections, setting the stage for the subsequent phases of the legal battle. The current interim forfeiture aligns with an ongoing criminal trial where Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz face charges related to an alleged N8.7 billion money-laundering scheme.
Court documents meticulously detail the affected assets, painting a picture of a vast and intricate portfolio. These include the buildings of Rayhaan University, various agro-allied factory facilities, multiple hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, primary and secondary schools, numerous oil and gas filling stations, commercial shops, and a range of other structures. Such a widespread acquisition of diverse assets often raises flags in financial investigations.
Among the high-value properties cited is a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, acquired in December 2022 for N500 million, which has since appreciated to an assessed value of N5.95 billion. Another significant asset is a two-winged large storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited, purchased for N7 billion in December 2018. These examples illustrate the substantial investments under scrutiny.
Further assets include a five-storey hotel complex on Plot 683, Jabi District, operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms, acquired at carcass level for N850 million in September 2020, with an additional N300 million paid for possession, now valued at N8.4 billion. Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama, a 15-room facility, was bought for N430 million in February 2018 and is currently valued at N12.95 billion, showcasing rapid value appreciation in some cases.
Residential properties in Kano GRA, Kaduna, Gwarimpa, and Apo Legislative Quarters, along with terraces in Asokoro District and shopping units at Citiscape, Wuse II, are also part of the extensive list. In Kebbi State, properties include 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, purchased for N100 million in 2020, a four-bedroom bungalow in Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, and assets acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, valued at N187 million. The EFCC is steadfast in its pursuit of a final forfeiture of these Malami assets frozen by the court, subject to any valid objections raised during the stipulated period.
