The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to the Federal Government after ruling that they were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to an official signed statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, the judgment was delivered on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who held that the Commission had established a prima facie case that the assets were not acquired through lawful sources of income.
Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, and Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.
Also ordered forfeited are several hotels, commercial plazas, luxury residential properties, warehouses, filling stations, agricultural assets, factories and large parcels of land located across Abuja, Kebbi and Kano States. The assets include Meethaq Hotels in Maitama and Jabi, Azbir Hotel and related business facilities in Kebbi State, Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, multiple residential developments, shopping outlets and more than 200 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.
The court held that the EFCC successfully demonstrated that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, while the respondents failed to provide satisfactory evidence showing that the assets were acquired through legitimate means.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that merely claiming ownership of the properties was insufficient, stressing that respondents in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings are required to establish the lawful sources of funds used in acquiring such assets.
The case originated from an interim forfeiture order granted on 6 January 2026 by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN. In compliance with the court’s directive, the Commission published the interim forfeiture order in national newspapers, inviting interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Following the publication, Malami and 14 other respondents, comprising family members and associates, challenged the interim order, questioned the court’s jurisdiction and urged the court to refuse the application for final forfeiture.
After hearing arguments from both parties on 27 May 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment before delivering her decision on Wednesday, affirming the EFCC’s application and ordering the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government.
