Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Abubakar Malami

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a temporary forfeiture order for 57 properties allegedly connected to the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The ruling, issued on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex-parte motion filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). An enrolled copy of the order, obtained on Wednesday, shows that the properties are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states.

Justice Nwite directed that the properties be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, stating they are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.” The court also instructed the EFCC to publish the interim order in a national newspaper. This publication is intended to allow any individual or organization claiming interest in the properties to provide justification within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be issued. The matter was adjourned to January 27 for EFCC to report on compliance with the publication order.

Court documents list a range of affected assets, including high-value residential and commercial properties:

Luxury Duplex, Maitama, Abuja – Purchased in 2022 at N500 million, current value N5.95 billion.

Two-Winged Building (former Harmonia Hotels), Garki, Abuja – Acquired in 2018 at N7 billion.

Five-Storey Meethaq Hotel, Jabi, Abuja – Purchased in 2020 for N850 million, value after completion N8.4 billion.

Terraces, Asokoro, Abuja – Acquired in 2021 at N360 million.

Meethaq Hotel, Maitama, Abuja – Purchased in 2018 at N430 million, current value N12.95 billion.

Plots and houses in Asokoro, Kaduna, Kano, and Kebbi – Values ranging from N40 million to N325 million, including commercial outlets, warehouses, and undeveloped land.

Additional assets include properties acquired under the Justice & Development Initiative in Birnin Kebbi, comprising multiple bungalows and 5.4 hectares of land purchased between February and September 2023 for N187 million.

The EFCC has previously obtained interim forfeiture orders in other high-profile cases, including allegations involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).