The federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, a former minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, to the federal government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and argued by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the multi-billion-naira properties are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna.
Although the ruling was delivered on Tuesday, NAN reports that the certified true copy (CTC) was obtained on Wednesday.
In the order, Justice Nwite held: “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 judge further directed that the order be published in a national newspaper, calling on anyone with an interest in the affected assets to appear in court within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture should not be granted.
The case was adjourned to January 37 for a report on compliance.
Among the listed properties are luxury duplexes, hotels, commercial buildings, residential houses, estates, plazas, warehouses, farmlands, and land banks acquired between 2016 and 2024.
They include: A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama (N500m purchase value; estimated at N5.95bn after enhancement).
A two-wing mansion at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki (bought at N7bn).
Plot 683 Jabi District — now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd, a five-storey, 53-room hotel (valued at N8.4bn).
Properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Gwarinpa, Apo Legislative Quarters and Jabi.
Houses and commercial facilities in Kano, Kaduna and Birnin Kebbi.
Over 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.
Multiple mall units, warehouse structures, and housing units purchased through the Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative.
NAN reports that Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz are currently standing trial before the same judge on allegations of N8.7 billion money laundering.
In the criminal charge FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC named Malami, his wife and son as defendants, alongside an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd.
The antigraft agency alleges that the defendants laundered billions of naira through suspicious transactions, concealed their origins, and acquired properties across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi between 2015 and 2025, including the period Malami served as AGF under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
One of the charges alleges that Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to conceal over ₦1 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, knowing the funds were illicit.