The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly connected to Abubakar Malami, a former minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation.
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN. The assets, described as running into several billions of naira, are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
In his ruling, 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 judge further directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper. He invited any individual or organisation claiming interest in the properties to appear within 14 days and show cause why the court should not grant a final forfeiture order. The case was adjourned to January 37 for a report on compliance.
The forfeited assets reportedly include luxury duplexes, hotels, plazas, warehouses, shopping complexes, large parcels of land and residential buildings situated in prime locations such as Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Wuse, Gwarimpa, Birnin Kebbi, and parts of Kano and Kaduna. Several of the properties were allegedly acquired by Malami between 2015 and 2025, with some said to have appreciated to values running into billions of naira.
Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, is currently facing trial before Justice Nwite over an alleged ₦8.7 billion money-laundering case.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring to conceal the illicit origin of funds, indirectly acquiring properties, and retaining proceeds allegedly derived from criminal conduct, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 and 2022.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the offences were committed during Malami’s tenure as attorney-general under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that billions of naira were funneled through bank accounts and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi to disguise their true source.
