The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties valued at about N212 billion linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and dismissed objections raised by Malami, his family members and several companies claiming ownership of the assets.
The judge ruled that the key issue before the court was not who owned the properties, but whether the funds used to acquire them were legitimate. She held that the objections lacked merit.
The affected assets are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna. They include luxury hotels, duplexes, shopping plazas, warehouses, residential estates, schools, factories and commercial buildings acquired over several years.
Among the high-value properties ordered forfeited are Meethaq Hotels in Maitama and Jabi, Abuja, luxury duplexes in Maitama and Asokoro, Rayhaan University sites in Kebbi, the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Hotel, Rayhaan Model Academy, Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, and several residential properties allegedly linked to Malami and members of his family.
The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order covering all 57 properties. Following Wednesday’s ruling, 48 of the assets will now be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, while the remaining nine were not included in the final forfeiture order.
