The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government.
The anti-graft agency made the request through a motion on notice filed by its legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami alongside several individuals and companies as respondents in the suit.
Among those named are Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, Rayhaan Bustan, Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, and Real Edge Agro Services Ltd.
The EFCC said the assets should be forfeited under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, describing them as “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
Okutepa argued that the court has the statutory authority to grant the forfeiture under non-conviction-based asset forfeiture proceedings.
He also noted that an earlier interim forfeiture order, published in ThisDay newspaper on January 9, 2026, had not been challenged with sufficient evidence.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Daniel Adebayo, an EFCC investigating officer, outlined the extensive investigation conducted by the commission.
According to him, the probe involved inquiries with agencies including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, Abuja Geographical Information System, and several land registries.
The investigation also included site visits, asset valuation exercises, and interviews with relevant individuals.
Adebayo said Malami’s lawful earnings between 2015 and 2023 included a salary of ₦89,664,000, severance allowance of ₦12,158,400, and travel allowances totalling ₦253,608,500.
He argued that the total legitimate earnings were disproportionate to the value of the properties under investigation.
The EFCC further alleged that some of the properties were acquired through third-party individuals and companies, including entities allegedly linked to the Rayhaan Group Ltd.
According to the commission, several of the buildings located in Kano and Kebbi states reportedly lacked building permits, suggesting attempts to conceal the alleged unlawful origin of the funds.
The properties listed in the application are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, including temporary and permanent campuses of Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for the hearing of the motion seeking final forfeiture.
Earlier, a sister court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite had on January 6 issued an interim forfeiture order ex parte, directing that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow interested parties 14 days to respond.
The case was later reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who subsequently recused himself, leading to the matter being transferred to Justice Abdulmalik.
Meanwhile, Malami and other respondents have filed applications challenging the suit and seeking to vacate the interim forfeiture order.
