The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant a final order for the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.
The anti-graft agency made the request in a motion on notice filed before the court by its legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa and Ekele Iheanacho. The motion was presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In the application, the EFCC argued that the respondents in the case failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify setting aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court on the properties in question. The commission maintained that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and therefore should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government in line with the law.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, listed Abubakar Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami among the respondents in the suit. Several companies allegedly linked to the former Attorney General were also joined as respondents in the case, as the commission insisted that investigations traced ownership of the properties to the individuals and entities listed in the suit.
The EFCC told the court that its application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006. The agency specifically asked the court to grant “a final order of this honourable court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the properties described in the schedule below, which were found by the commission as properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
According to the commission, the interim forfeiture order was granted earlier after it presented evidence showing that the properties were acquired through funds suspected to be linked to unlawful activities. The agency said the respondents were given the opportunity to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited, but argued that the materials presented before the court were insufficient to overturn the interim order.
The EFCC further told the court that the forfeiture proceedings were civil in nature and focused on the assets themselves rather than the criminal liability of the individuals involved. The commission maintained that under Nigerian law, any property found to be proceeds of unlawful activity can be forfeited to the government, regardless of whether a criminal conviction has been secured.
Legal analysts say the case could become a major test of the EFCC’s powers in asset recovery, particularly involving politically exposed persons. The outcome may also shape future anti-corruption enforcement and asset forfeiture proceedings in the country.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the high-profile status of the former Attorney General and the large number of properties involved. Observers note that the court’s decision will likely have political and legal implications, especially as Nigeria continues its anti-corruption campaign and efforts to strengthen public accountability.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik is expected to consider the arguments presented by both the EFCC and the respondents before ruling on whether the interim forfeiture order should be made permanent.
As the legal battle continues, the case is expected to remain in the spotlight, with many Nigerians closely watching the proceedings as part of the broader fight against corruption and illicit asset acquisition in the country.
