The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the seized assets, valued at billions of naira, include luxury residential and commercial properties located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court order was obtained on Wednesday.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said: “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule One below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The judge also directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper, allowing anyone with interest in the listed properties 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture should not be made. The matter was adjourned to January 27 for a compliance report.
The properties include high-value assets such as:
- A luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, valued at nearly N6 billion.
- Two-winged large storey building at Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels, purchased for N7 billion.
- Five-storey Meethaq Hotel in Jabi District, Abuja, valued at N8.4 billion after completion.
- Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Maitama, with 15 rooms, valued at N12.95 billion after rehabilitation.
- Various commercial shops, warehouses, and bungalows in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi, purchased between 2016 and 2024.
- Residential plots and multiple housing units in Birnin Kebbi, Abuja, and Kaduna acquired between 2018 and 2023.
Justice Nwite emphasized that the properties are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities” and are now under interim forfeiture while investigations continue.
The EFCC said the order is part of ongoing efforts to recover assets believed to have been obtained through illicit means.