EFCC Seeks Permanent Forfeiture Of 57 Properties Linked To Malami

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to permanently forfeit 57 properties allegedly connected to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to the Federal Government.

In a motion filed on Thursday, the anti-graft agency argued that the respondents, including Malami, failed to provide enough evidence to convince the court to vacate the earlier interim forfeiture order granted on the assets.

The motion, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by EFCC’s legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). Other respondents named in the application include Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, and several companies said to be linked to the disputed properties.

Citing Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, the EFCC urged the court to issue a final forfeiture order on the properties, which the commission described as reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Leading the argument, Okutepa told the court that the case was a non conviction based forfeiture proceeding and that the judge had the statutory power to grant the request. He reminded the court that an interim forfeiture order had already been made and duly published in THISDAY Newspaper on January 9 2026, adding that no sufficient cause had been shown why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

An affidavit deposed to by EFCC investigator Daniel Adebayo revealed that the commission acted on multiple petitions accusing the former minister of corruption, abuse of office, and fraud. Investigations included tracing financial records from banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, cross checking with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System.

The EFCC also contacted land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states, carried out physical verification and valuation of the assets, and invited individuals connected to the transactions for interviews.

According to Adebayo, Malami’s total earnings as minister from 2015 to 2023 including salaries, allowances, and estacodes amounted to just N89.664 million in salary, averaging about N962,664 monthly, plus a severance package of N12.158 million. This, he said, was grossly disproportionate to the value of the properties under scrutiny.

The investigator further stated that most of the structures built on the properties in Kano and Kebbi states lacked necessary building permits and approvals, suggesting an attempt to conceal the true source of funds used in acquiring them. Some of the assets were allegedly purchased through proxies and companies linked to the former AGF.

The 57 properties in question are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. They include assets associated with Rayhaan University in Kebbi State. The total value of the properties is estimated at around N213.2 billion.

Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned the matter to April 21 2026 for hearing of the motion.

The case originated from an ex parte application filed by the EFCC, which led to Justice Emeka Nwite granting an interim forfeiture order on January 8 2026. The court had directed the commission to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

Malami and other respondents had earlier challenged the interim order and prayed the court to set it aside.