Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to overturn an interim forfeiture order placed on properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite had on January 6 ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC alleges that the assets, valued at ₦213.23 billion, are linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru Rahman Malami.
The anti-graft agency secured the order pending the conclusion of investigations into the source of funds used to acquire the properties, which it claims were obtained through illicit means.
In his application, Malami urged the court to set aside the forfeiture order. However, the specific grounds for the request were not disclosed as of the time of filing.
The court has also not fixed a date for hearing the application.
Recall that the court had directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, allowing interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a compliance report.
Among the seized assets are a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased in December 2022 for ₦500 million and currently valued at ₦5.95 billion after enhancement; two large storey buildings in Garki, Abuja, formerly known as Harmonia Hotels, valued at ₦7 billion; and Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, with a combined valuation exceeding ₦21 billion.
Other properties listed by the court include commercial shops, warehouse facilities, plazas, residential estates, and extensive landholdings spread across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Nasarawa.
These include properties in Asokoro, Wuse II, Gwarimpa, Apo Legislative Quarters, Birnin Kebbi, and Kano GRA, as well as several hotel facilities, shopping units, and large parcels of land.
Justice Nwite, while listing the assets, detailed the acquisition dates, purchase prices, and current valuations, noting that several properties had significantly appreciated following renovation and development.
Meanwhile, Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz are already standing trial before the same court over alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering offences.
On Wednesday, Justice Nwite granted Malami bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties required to provide landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa.
The court also ordered Malami to deposit his travel documents and passport photographs and barred him from leaving the country without prior court approval.
Justice Nwite fixed February 17 for the commencement of trial on the 16-count money laundering charges filed by the EFCC against Malami, his wife, and his son.
The interim forfeiture represents one of the most extensive asset seizures linked to a former federal minister in Nigeria, underscoring the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to recover suspected proceeds of corruption.
