The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to the Federal Government
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the multi-billion-naira assets, which include luxury residential and commercial properties, are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The court order was made on Tuesday, with a Certified True Copy (CTC) sighted by NAN on Wednesday.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated: “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule One below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The judge also directed that the interim forfeiture be published in a national newspaper, allowing any interested person or organisation 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made. The matter was adjourned to January 27 for a report of compliance.
The properties include a range of high-value assets such as:
- Luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, valued at nearly N6 billion after enhancement.
- Two-winged large storey building at Onitsha Crescent, Garki, formerly Harmonia Hotels, purchased for N7 billion.
- Five-storey building in Jabi District, now Meethaq Hotels Ltd, purchased for N850 million and valued at N8.4 billion after completion.
- Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Maitama, with 15 rooms, valued at N12.95 billion after rehabilitation.
- Multiple commercial properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi, including shops, warehouses, and bungalows purchased between 2016 and 2024, with individual values ranging from N40 million to over N12 billion.
- Several plots of land and residential units in Birnin Kebbi, Abuja, and Kaduna acquired between 2018 and 2023.
Justice Nwite’s ruling emphasizes that these properties are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities” and places them under interim forfeiture while further investigations and legal processes continue.
The court’s order marks a significant step in ongoing efforts by the EFCC to recover assets suspected to have been acquired through illicit means.
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