Court orders interim forfeiture of N213.2bn properties linked to Ex-AGF Malami, sons
EFCC
Abdullateef Fowewe
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture to the Federal Government of 57 luxury properties worth N213.2 billion, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami.
According to a statement obtained on Wednesday from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Tuesday, January 6, following an ex-parte motion by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
The properties, spanning Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, include high-end hotels, universities, schools, filling stations, supermarkets, and factories.
In his judgment, Justice Nwite stated, “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The court further mandated the EFCC to publish the order in a national daily, urging any interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture should not proceed.
The case is adjourned to January 27, 2026, for compliance reports.
Among the assets are:
• Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Maitama, Abuja (purchased December 2022 for N500 million; enhanced value N5.95 billion).
• Two-winged storey building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels; purchased December 2018 for N7 billion).
• Five-storey Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja (purchased September 2020 for N1.15 billion; completed value N8.4 billion).
• Meethaq Hotels Limited, No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (purchased February 2018 for N430 million; rehabilitated value N12.95 billion).
• 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road (purchased 2020 for N100 million).
• Shops Nos. A36, B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja (purchased July 2023 for N158 million).
This development comes amid ongoing trials where Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz face N8.7 billion money laundering charges before the same judge.
