The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned its highly anticipated judgment in the multi-billion naira asset forfeiture suit filed against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
​Justice Joyce Abdulmalik shifted the ruling, which seeks the final forfeiture of 57 luxury properties allegedly linked to the former chief law officer, until July 10, 2026.
​The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is seeking an order to permanently forfeit the assets to the Federal Government, asserting that they are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
​The multi-billion naira properties, comprising luxury hotels, plazas, schools, filling stations, and large landholdings are scattered across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The anti-graft agency had previously secured an interim forfeiture order on the assets in January.
EFCC’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), urged the court to grant the permanent forfeiture, arguing that Malami and other co-respondents “woefully failed to show cause” that the properties were legitimately acquired. The commission’s motion was backed by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits.
Lead counsel for the respondents, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), vehemently opposed the application. Moving a counter-affidavit deposed to by Malami himself, Adedeji argued that the EFCC relied heavily on “suspicion rather than evidence.” He maintained that several of the properties were acquired long before Malami assumed public office and urged the court to discharge the interim order.
​The matter, which appeared as item number four on Monday’s cause list, was rescheduled without any formal reason given by the court.
​The properties under contention form a major focal point in the wider anti-corruption campaign targeting politically exposed persons from the previous administration. Malami, alongside his wife and son, is also facing separate legal battles regarding money laundering charges brought by the commission. All eyes now turn to the capital city’s high court on Friday, July 10, for the definitive ruling.
