A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Wednesday after holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established that the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC had sought the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about N212.8 billion, which it alleged were linked to Malami.
In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that Malami failed to demonstrate that the assets were acquired through legitimate sources of income.
The judge also dismissed several applications filed by Malami, members of his family and companies linked to the assets, stating that the central issue before the court was not ownership of the properties but whether the funds used to acquire them were lawfully obtained.
Relying on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the court granted the final forfeiture order for 48 properties.
However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the EFCC’s request to permanently forfeit nine other properties located in Kebbi and Kaduna states, ruling that the anti-graft agency failed to prove they were acquired through proceeds of crime.
High-value assets forfeited
Among the properties ordered forfeited are luxury residential and commercial developments across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states, including:
- A luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja, currently valued at N5.95 billion.
- Meethaq Hotels in Jabi, Abuja, valued at N8.4 billion.
- Meethaq Hotels in Maitama, Abuja, valued at N12.95 billion.
- Terraced buildings in Asokoro, Abuja.
- Commercial properties in Wuse II, Gwarinpa and Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja.
- Several residential and commercial properties in Kano and Kebbi states.
- Rayhaan University and its associated facilities in Kebbi State, including academic buildings, factories, staff quarters and other infrastructure.
- Azbir Arena, Azbir Hotel, printing press, shopping facilities and other commercial assets in Kebbi State.
- Rayhaan Model Academy, Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School, Rayhaan Radio and other educational and commercial investments.
The forfeited assets span residential buildings, hotels, schools, factories, agricultural facilities, commercial plazas, fuel station structures and large parcels of land.
Charges against Malami
The forfeiture case is separate from the criminal charges currently pending against the former minister.
Malami is facing a five-count charge alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami. The charges include alleged terrorism financing, unlawful possession of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition.
Specifically, prosecutors allege that Malami, while serving as Attorney-General, failed to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files had been forwarded to his office. He and his son are also accused of possessing a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges and expended ammunition without the required licence.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The Federal Government had earlier amended the charges, dropping the terrorism financing allegation before filing fresh proceedings against the former AGF and members of his family.
The criminal proceedings remain before the court.
