The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and members of his family.
The properties, valued at about ₦213.23 billion, were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the order, gave Malami, his sons Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman, and other interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited. Failure to prove lawful acquisition within the stipulated period could result in final forfeiture.
Granting the ex-parte application moved by EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), the judge ruled that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” Justice Nwite held.
The court also directed that the forfeiture order be published in a national daily, inviting any person or entity with an interest in the properties to approach the court within 14 days. The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a compliance report.
According to EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the properties are located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi states, and include luxury residences, hotels, schools, shopping complexes, oil and gas facilities, farmlands, and commercial buildings.
Notable assets listed include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, reportedly upgraded from ₦500 million to about ₦5.95 billion; a two-winged multi-storey building at Onitsha Crescent, Garki, formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited, acquired for ₦7 billion; and a five-storey hotel complex in Jabi District, now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd, valued at about ₦8.4 billion.
Other properties include a hotel on Rhine Street, Maitama, multiple buildings in Asokoro, shops at Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, warehouses at Wuse Market, residential properties in Gwarimpa, Apo Legislative Quarters, and BUA Estate, high-value properties in Nasarawa GRA, Kano, over 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, and several estates, schools, and land assets allegedly acquired through proxies between 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile, Justice Nwite granted bail of ₦500 million each to Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, with two sureties per defendant, bringing the total bail sum to ₦1.5 billion.
The trio are facing a 16-count charge filed by the EFCC over alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering, including conspiracy, concealment of funds’ origin, indirect acquisition of properties, and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
In his ruling, the judge noted the seriousness of the allegations but stressed that bail decisions are guided by the need to ensure defendants appear for trial and do not interfere with witnesses.
He also warned against attempts to influence the court, stressing his commitment to impartiality.
The case was adjourned to February 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
