By Abdulsalam Alkali
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties valued at approximately ₦212 billion and linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Tuesday, granting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application for final forfeiture while dismissing objections filed by Malami, members of his family, and several companies claiming ownership of the assets.
In her judgment, the court held that the central issue was not the ownership of the properties but the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire them.
«”The issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties,” Justice Abdulmalik ruled.»
The forfeited assets span Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states and include luxury hotels, duplexes, plazas, warehouses, shopping complexes, educational institutions, residential estates, factories, and other high-value commercial properties.
Among the notable assets are Meethaq Hotels in Maitama and Jabi, Abuja; the Rayhaan University permanent, temporary and third campuses in Kebbi State; the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory; Azbir Hotel and associated facilities; Rayhaan schools and radio station; as well as Zeennoor Hotel and Rayhaan Hotel in Kano.
The court’s decision follows an earlier interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC, which had temporarily seized all 57 properties pending the determination of the substantive application.
With the latest ruling, 48 of the assets have now been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, marking one of the largest asset forfeiture cases in Nigeria’s anti-corruption history.
The EFCC had argued that investigations showed the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, an allegation strongly contested by Malami and the affected parties. However, the court found the objections lacking in merit and ruled in favour of the anti-graft agency.
The judgment represents a significant victory for the EFCC in its ongoing efforts to recover assets believed to have been acquired through illicit means.
