Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Malami to Federal Government
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government.
The order was granted on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who held that the Commission had established that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired through legitimate sources of income.
Among the properties forfeited are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, as well as Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of several hotels, commercial buildings, residential properties, educational facilities, factories, filling stations, warehouses and large parcels of land located across the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi and Kano States.
Other major assets affected by the order include the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Arena comprising a hotel, printing press, gardens, mosque, pharmacy and supermarket, Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, as well as multiple commercial plazas, luxury residences and agricultural lands.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the respondents failed to provide satisfactory evidence showing that the properties were acquired with legitimate earnings, adding that merely claiming ownership was insufficient in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings.
According to the court, the burden rested on the respondents to establish the lawful source of the funds used in acquiring the assets, which they failed to do.
The forfeiture followed an earlier interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite after an ex parte application filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
Following the interim order, the EFCC published notices in national newspapers inviting interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In response, Malami and 14 other respondents, including members of his family and associates, challenged the interim order, questioned the jurisdiction of the court and opposed the final forfeiture application.
After hearing arguments from both parties on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment.
Delivering her verdict, the judge dismissed the objections raised by the respondents and held that the EFCC had successfully proven that the 48 properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The ruling represents one of the largest non-conviction-based asset forfeiture judgments secured by the EFCC in recent years.
Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Malami to Federal Government