Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has filed a motion challenging the interim forfeiture of some of his properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The properties, 57 in total, were temporarily forfeited to the federal government on January 6 by a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Judge Emema Nwite, following an ex parte application by the EFCC.
The properties are allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami.
Malami, through his counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the EFCC obtained the order by misrepresenting facts and suppressing material information.
He asked the court to dismiss the forfeiture to prevent “conflicting outcomes and duplicative litigation,” claiming the proceedings violate his right to property, presumption of innocence, and family life.
The former AGF specifically challenged the interim forfeiture of three properties, including a plot on Lamido Crescent, Kano; a duplex in Wuse II, Abuja; and the ADC Kadi Malami Foundation Building, purchased for N56 million and held in trust for his late father’s estate.
Daudu outlined Malami’s declared sources of income, including N374 million from salaries, allowances, severance, and sitting allowances from board memberships; N574 million from disposal of assets; N10.02 billion from business turnover; N2.52 billion in business loans; N958 million in traditional gifts; and N509.88 million from proceeds of a book he authored.
He argued these legitimate sources demonstrate that the properties were lawfully acquired.
Legal experts, however, have noted that public officers in Nigeria are prohibited from accepting gifts that could influence their official duties.
Obioma Ezenwobodo, former NBA Garki Branch chairman, said such gifts could constitute corruption.
Similarly, civil society groups and activists have questioned the legitimacy of the sums claimed by Malami, highlighting potential violations of anti-corruption laws.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) notes that ministerial salaries in Nigeria are approximately N7.8 million annually, raising further scrutiny over Malami’s claims of N374 million in salary and N958 million in gifts.
The court has yet to schedule a hearing on the matter, and the case was returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment after being handled during the court’s vacation.
Malami is also facing a separate EFCC money laundering charge and is currently detained by the Department of State Services over allegations of terrorism financing.
