A 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.
The ruling followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which argued that the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, held that the EFCC had provided enough evidence to show that the assets were not purchased with legitimate income.
Among the properties forfeited are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent and temporary campuses, the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and Rayhaan Radio.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of several hotels, residential buildings, commercial plazas, warehouses, filling stations, large parcels of land and other business assets located in Abuja, Kebbi and Kano states.
Other affected properties include Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Hotel, Zeennoor Hotel, Azbir Arena, shopping complexes, staff quarters and other commercial facilities.
The EFCC had secured an interim forfeiture order for the properties on January 6, 2026, after filing an ex parte application before the court.
Following the order, the anti-graft agency published notices in national newspapers inviting anyone with an interest in the properties to explain why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Malami and 14 other individuals, including members of his family and associates, challenged the interim order and asked the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application, arguing that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the forfeiture.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the respondents failed to provide evidence showing that the properties were acquired with lawful income.
The judge held that merely claiming ownership of the assets was not enough, adding that those challenging a non-conviction-based forfeiture must prove the legitimate source of the funds used to acquire the properties.
The court consequently granted the EFCC’s application and ordered the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government.
