A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and two of his sons, AbdulAziz Malami and AbdulRahman Malami, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following an ex-parte Motion moved by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
The multi-billion naira landed properties , valued at ₦213,234,120,000 are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States.
In granting the order, Justice Nwite ruled that, “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 also directed the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily “inviting any person(s) or body (ies) who may have interest in the properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of the publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties, should not be made”.
He, therefore, adjourned the matter until January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance.
Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar AbdulAziz, are currently facing an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering charge before Justice Nwite.
The properties include: Rayhaan University Buildings, Agro allied factory buildings, machines, hotels, pharmacy, supermarket, primary and secondary schools, oil and gas filling stations, shops and other buildings.
