By Jimmy Fatunbi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order for the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly connected to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
In a motion on notice filed by its legal team, the anti-graft agency argued that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, and several companies allegedly tied to the assets as respondents.
Relying on provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, the EFCC is seeking a final order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government on the grounds that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
During proceedings, counsel to the EFCC emphasized that the case is based on non-conviction forfeiture, noting that the court has the legal authority to grant such relief. He recalled that the court had earlier issued an interim forfeiture order, which was subsequently published in a national newspaper, and argued that no convincing reason had been presented to halt the process.
According to an affidavit deposed by an EFCC investigator, the case originated from multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud against the former minister. Investigations reportedly involved financial record analysis from banks and the Central Bank, as well as inquiries with regulatory agencies including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System.
The probe also extended to land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states, alongside physical verification and valuation of the properties. Individuals connected to the transactions were invited for questioning.
The investigator stated that Malami’s earnings while in office from 2015 to 2023—covering salaries, allowances, and estacodes—were significantly lower than the value of the assets under scrutiny. His total salary over the period was put at about N89.7 million, with additional severance and travel allowances declared.
The EFCC further alleged that many of the properties were acquired through proxies and corporate entities, and that some lacked proper building approvals, suggesting attempts to conceal the origin of the funds used.
The 57 properties are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, with some linked to an educational institution in Kebbi. Their estimated value stands at about N213.2 billion.
The court has scheduled April 21 for the hearing of the motion.
The matter follows an earlier interim forfeiture order granted in January 2026, after an ex parte application by the EFCC. The court had directed the temporary forfeiture of the assets and instructed that the order be published to allow interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami and other respondents subsequently challenged the interim order, asking the court to set it aside.
