Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 57 Properties Worth N213.2bn Linked to Ex-AGF Malami, Sons
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about N213.2 billion, allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami.
The order was made on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and moved by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
The properties, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
In granting the application, Justice Nwite held: “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.”
The judge further directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national daily newspaper, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the listed properties to show cause, within 14 days of publication, why a final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.
The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance.
Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently standing trial before Justice Nwite over alleged money laundering involving the sum of N8.7 billion.
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According to court documents, the assets comprise several high-value landed properties, including university buildings, agro-allied factory structures and machinery, hotels, oil and gas filling stations, schools, plazas, supermarkets, pharmacies, warehouses and residential buildings.
Among the notable properties listed are a luxury duplex on Amazon Street in Maitama, Abuja, reportedly acquired in December 2022 for N500 million and later enhanced to a value of about N5.95 billion; a two-winged multi-storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, formerly known as Harmonia Hotels Limited, purchased in December 2018 for N7 billion; and a five-storey hotel complex in Jabi District, Abuja, now operating as Meethaq Hotels Limited, valued at approximately N8.4 billion after completion.
Other assets include hotel properties in Maitama and Asokoro districts of Abuja, multiple residential and commercial buildings in Wuse II, Gwarimpa, Apo Legislative Quarters and Karsana District, as well as plazas, shops and warehouses in Abuja markets and malls.
Outside the Federal Capital Territory, the listed properties include high-value residential and commercial buildings in Kano and Kaduna states, a four-bedroom bungalow and extensive landed assets in Birnin Kebbi, including about 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, and several housing units acquired through the Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi.
The EFCC stated that the assets were acquired between 2016 and 2024 at various costs, with several of them significantly appreciating in value after development and rehabilitation.
The court’s interim forfeiture order remains subject to final determination, pending responses from interested parties and further proceedings in the matter.
By PRNigeria
