MALAMI IN THE DOCK: Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of 57 Multi-Billion Naira Properties Linked To Ex-AGF

In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political and legal establishment, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 multi-billion naira properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Justice Emeka Nwite made the order after granting an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and argued by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, marking a major escalation in the ongoing corruption and money laundering case against the former chief law officer of the federation.

The properties—valued at several billions of naira—are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States and are suspected to be proceeds of money laundering and other related financial crimes.

Although the ruling was delivered on Tuesday, its Certified True Copy (CTC) was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

“An interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule One, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” Justice Nwite ruled.

The court further directed that the forfeiture notice be published in a national daily, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the listed assets to show cause within 14 days why a final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

The matter was adjourned to January 27 for a report on compliance.

Luxury Assets Under Seizure

Among the assets listed for interim forfeiture are:

A luxury duplex in Maitama, originally purchased for N500 million and now valued at nearly N6 billion

A former hotel property in Garki, acquired for N7 billion

A five-storey luxury hotel in Jabi, valued at over N8.4 billion

High-end properties in Asokoro, Wuse II, Gwarimpa and Apo Legislative Quarters

Multiple commercial properties, warehouses, plazas and vast parcels of land in Kano and Kebbi, including 100 hectares along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road

The schedule also includes residential estates, bungalows, shops, and properties allegedly acquired through development initiatives and linked entities.

N8.7 Billion Money Laundering Trial

Malami, alongside his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz, is currently standing trial before Justice Nwite over an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering scheme.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC accused the defendants—along with an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd—of conspiring to launder illicit funds through bank accounts and large-scale property acquisitions across multiple states.

The alleged offences span 2015 to 2025, covering the eight years Malami served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the EFCC, the defendants violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022 by concealing the origin of funds, acquiring assets indirectly, and retaining proceeds they allegedly knew were unlawful.

In one of the counts, the anti-graft agency alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son directed Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion in a Sterling Bank account, fully aware that the funds were proceeds of illegal activities.

As the legal battle intensifies, the interim forfeiture represents one of the largest asset seizures ever linked to a former Nigerian justice minister, setting the stage for a high-stakes corruption trial with far-reaching political and legal implications.