By Peter Omopo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has intensified efforts to secure the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, describing the assets as suspected proceeds of unlawful activities.
In a motion filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the anti-graft agency argued that the respondents failed to provide sufficient justification to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
Those listed in the suit include the former minister, his son Abdulaziz, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, alongside several companies and entities allegedly connected to the properties.
The commission stated that the application is based on a non-conviction forfeiture process, stressing that the law empowers the court to permanently seize assets reasonably believed to have been acquired through illicit means.
According to the EFCC, the interim forfeiture order was published in a national newspaper on January 9, but no convincing evidence has been presented to challenge the seizure.
The agency said its investigation followed multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud during Malami’s tenure between 2015 and 2023.
As part of its probe, the EFCC obtained financial records from commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, while also engaging key institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System.
Investigations also extended to land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states, with physical inspections and valuation of the properties conducted.
In an affidavit presented before the court, the EFCC outlined Malami’s legitimate earnings while in office, stating that his declared income was not commensurate with the scale of assets traced to him.
The commission further alleged that several of the properties were acquired through proxies and corporate entities, including firms linked to the Rayhaan Group, and that some structures lacked proper building approvals.
The properties, according to court filings, are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, with some tied to educational and hospitality ventures, including facilities linked to Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for the hearing of the EFCC’s motion seeking final forfeiture of the assets.
