A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government after ruling that they were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved that the assets were not acquired through lawful sources of income.
Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice Chancellor’s residence, Rayhaan Radio, hotels, commercial buildings, large parcels of land, luxury residences in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna, as well as factories, filling stations and other business concerns.
Other assets ordered forfeited include Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, Abuja, the former Harmonia Hotels building in Garki, Azbir Hotel and Arena in Kebbi State, Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, several residential and commercial properties across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi, warehouses, plazas, shopping units and over 200 hectares of land.
The court held that the EFCC established that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, while Malami and the other respondents failed to provide credible evidence showing legitimate sources of the funds used to acquire them.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that merely claiming ownership of the properties was insufficient, stressing that respondents in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings must demonstrate that the assets were purchased with lawfully earned income.
The judge therefore granted the EFCC’s application for the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government.
The ruling followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite after an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
Following the interim order, the anti-graft agency published notices in national newspapers inviting anyone with an interest in the properties to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
Read also:
- Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked To Malami
- Court fixes July 2 for judgment in final forfeiture case involving 57 properties linked to Malami
- Court admits 9 exhibits in EFCC case against Malami, family members
Malami, alongside 14 family members and associates, subsequently challenged the forfeiture, questioning the court’s jurisdiction and asking that the interim order be set aside.
After hearing arguments from both sides on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment before delivering Wednesday’s ruling in favour of the EFCC.
The commission described the judgment as a major victory in its non-conviction-based asset recovery efforts, maintaining that the respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden required to establish that the properties were acquired through legitimate means.
