The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired through legitimate sources of income.
Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice Chancellor’s residence, as well as Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.
Other assets forfeited include several hotels, luxury residential and commercial properties in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi States, Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Arena and its associated businesses, Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, filling stations, shopping plazas, warehouses, agricultural land and other high-value investments.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of assets belonging to Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative, including residential buildings and over five hectares of land in Birnin Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the respondents failed to provide credible evidence showing that the properties were acquired with lawfully earned income.
According to the court, merely claiming ownership of the assets was insufficient in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings, as the law requires respondents to establish the legitimate sources of the funds used to acquire such properties.
The judge ruled that the EFCC had successfully discharged the burden of proving that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, while the respondents failed to rebut the evidence presented against them.
The forfeiture followed an interim order granted by Justice Emeka Nwite on January 6, 2026, after an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
In compliance with the court’s directive, the anti-graft agency published notices in national newspapers inviting interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Malami and 14 other respondents, comprising members of his family and associates, subsequently challenged both the interim forfeiture order and the jurisdiction of the court, urging it to reject the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.
The matter was heard on May 27, 2026, before Justice Abdulmalik, who reserved judgment until Wednesday.
Delivering the verdict, the court dismissed the respondents’ objections and granted the EFCC’s application, ordering the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government.
