By Our Correspondent
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The anti-graft agency informed the court that the properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and are connected to Malami and members of his immediate family, including two of his sons.
Court documents revealed that the assets, valued at approximately ₦213.2 billion, are spread across several locations, including the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The properties include a mix of residential and commercial buildings, hotels, filling stations, schools, warehouses, agricultural lands, and undeveloped plots.
Justice Nwite also directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The publication, the court noted, is intended to ensure transparency and give affected persons an opportunity to challenge the forfeiture.
The case has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the publication order and for further proceedings. The court emphasized that the forfeiture is temporary and subject to the outcome of the substantive case.
The development is part of ongoing efforts by the EFCC to recover assets suspected to have been acquired through corruption and money laundering, particularly those allegedly linked to former public office holders.
The interim order does not amount to a declaration of guilt but represents a significant step in the investigation involving the former justice minister and his associates.
