The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly connected to former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The request was made through a motion on notice filed by the EFCC’s legal team led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria Jibrin Okutepa and Ekele Iheanacho. The application is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The anti-corruption agency argued that the respondents failed to present sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, lists Malami alongside several individuals and companies as respondents. Those named include Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, Rayhaan Bustan, Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, and Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd.
Other entities listed are 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 based its application on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006. It stated that the properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Okutepa told the court that the law empowers it to grant forfeiture orders even in the absence of a criminal conviction. He described the proceedings as a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture process.
He further noted that the interim forfeiture order had already been published in THISDAY newspaper on January 9, 2026. According to him, no sufficient cause has been shown by the respondents to justify setting aside that order.
In support of the motion, an affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator Daniel Adebayo detailed the scope of the agency’s investigation. He said inquiries were made with several government institutions, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Additional checks were carried out with the Abuja Geographical Information System and multiple land registries. The EFCC team also conducted site visits, property valuations, and interviews with relevant individuals.
Adebayo provided details of Malami’s legitimate earnings during his time in public office between 2015 and 2023. According to the affidavit, Malami earned a total salary of N89,664,000, a severance allowance of N12,158,400, and travel allowances amounting to N253,608,500.
The EFCC argued that these earnings were not proportionate to the value of the properties under investigation. It suggested that the assets could not have been acquired solely from lawful income.
The affidavit also alleged that some of the properties were acquired indirectly through third parties and companies believed to be linked to Malami. Among these entities is the Rayhaan Group Ltd, which investigators claim is under his control.
The commission further stated that several structures located in Kano and Kebbi States lacked proper building approvals. This, it argued, could indicate attempts to conceal the origin of the funds used in their development.
The properties in question are spread across multiple states, including Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna. They also include both temporary and permanent sites associated with Rayhaan University in Kebbi State.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for the hearing of the motion.
The case has undergone multiple judicial reassignments. Initially, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim forfeiture order on January 6 in an ex parte application and directed that it be published to allow interested parties 14 days to respond.
The matter was later reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who subsequently recused himself. It was then transferred to Justice Abdulmalik, who is now handling the proceedings.
Meanwhile, Malami and the other respondents have filed applications challenging the suit. They are seeking to have the interim forfeiture order vacated as the legal battle continues.
