A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim forfeiture order for 57 properties allegedly acquired through unlawful means by the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The order, signed by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was moved by its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
According to the ruling, the properties, located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Nwite directed that the EFCC publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, giving any interested party 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture should not be granted.
The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for the EFCC to report on compliance with the publication order.
Notable Properties Listed in the Court Order
The affected assets include residential, commercial, and land holdings, many of which are high-value real estate. Examples include:
Luxury Duplex, Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja – Purchased Dec 2022 for ₦500 million; enhanced value ₦5.95 billion.
Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi, Abuja – Purchased Sept 2020 for ₦850 million; completion value ₦8.4 billion.
Harmonia Hotels Ltd, Garki, Abuja – Purchased Dec 2018 for ₦7 billion.
Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District, Abuja – Purchased July 2021 for ₦325 million.
100 hectares of land, Birnin Kebbi – Purchased 2020 for ₦100 million.
Vegas Mall Shops, Wuse 2, Abuja – Purchased July 2023 for ₦158 million.
Other properties include bungalows, duplexes, terraces, warehouses, and commercial plazas in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi, purchased between 2016 and 2024.
Court’s Rationale
Justice Nwite emphasized that the properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and ordered their temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria pending the outcome of due process.
The EFCC is tasked with ensuring public notification to allow any interested party to make a case before final forfeiture is confirmed.
Significance
The ruling marks one of the largest asset forfeiture cases involving a former AGF in Nigeria, highlighting the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to recover assets suspected to be linked to corruption and unlawful enrichment.
