A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami. The properties carry a total value of about N213.2 billion. Authorities suspect these assets stem from unlawful activities.
Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the case. He granted the order on January 6, 2026. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed an ex-parte application for this action.
Details of the Seized Properties
The properties sit in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. They include luxury hotels, schools, filling stations, and large land parcels. For example, investigators found a duplex in Maitama, Abuja, bought for N500 million but now worth N5.95 billion.
Additionally the list features a five-storey hotel in Jabi District with 53 rooms. Buyers paid N850 million for it in 2020. Now its value reaches N8.4 billion after improvements.
Furthermore, other assets include warehouses, plazas, and residential buildings. One property in Kano will cost N300 million in 2022. EFCC linked these to Malami and his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman.
EFCC Leads the Investigation
The EFCC spearheaded this probe. Counsel Ekele Iheanacho represented the agency in court. Spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed the commission’s role.
As a result, the court directed temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government. This step aims to prevent asset dissipation during the inquiry. Malami faces a separate trial for N8.7 billion money laundering alongside his family.
However no public response came from Malami yet. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Justice Nwite ordered publication of the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper. Interested parties get 14 days to claim rights over the properties. They must show why the court should not make the forfeiture permanent.
However the case was adjourned by the judge to January 27, 2026. EFCC is expected to report the level of compliance at that time. This is a further demonstration that Nigeria is trying to hold its former leaders accountable.
In conclusion, this court order is a great victory for all anti-corruption bodies. This order shows that the judiciary is committed to living by the rule of law. Citizens remain waiting to hear further updates regarding this notable case.
