Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Malami/Son’s 57 Properties worth N213.2billion

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at N213.2 billion, marking one of the country’s most significant asset recovery actions in recent years and reigniting debate over public accountability, corruption and the management of public resources.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after granting an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The properties are alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami.

The assets, spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states, include hotels, schools, university buildings, filling stations, commercial plazas, factories, warehouses, residential estates and large expanses of land. Together, they are estimated to be worth more than N213 billion.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful activities and ordered their temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government. He also directed that the order be published in a national newspaper, giving any individual or organisation claiming ownership or interest in the assets 14 days to appear before the court and show why a final forfeiture order should not be granted. The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a compliance report.

Among the high-value assets listed are luxury hotels in Maitama and Jabi, upscale residential properties in Maitama, Asokoro and Gwarimpa, commercial buildings in Kano, shopping outlets in Abuja’s Wuse District, and agricultural and industrial facilities in Kebbi State.

The court action comes as Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and one of his sons, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are already standing trial before the same court over an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case. The defendants have denied wrongdoing, while the criminal proceedings remain before the court.

The development has intensified public discussion over transparency and the stewardship of public office. Anti-corruption advocates argue that recovering assets suspected to have been acquired illegally is essential to rebuilding public confidence in government institutions, especially at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, unemployment and inadequate public services.

Regarding the Nigerian citizens, the contrast between the scale of the properties listed in the court documents and the economic hardship faced by ordinary households, emphasizes a longstanding concerns about inequality, governance and the cost of corruption. Political observers also say the case is likely to draw close scrutiny as a test of the independence of Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions and the judiciary.

Legal experts, however, note that the forfeiture remains interim, not final. They stress that the affected parties retain the right to challenge the order in court, and that ownership of the assets will only be permanently transferred to the Federal Government if the court ultimately grants a final forfeiture order after hearing all interested parties.

The Interim Order: In January, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured an interim forfeiture order covering 57 properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi states, with an estimated value exceeding N213 billion.

The Final Judgment: After considering objections filed by former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, members of his family, and companies linked to them, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a substantive ruling. The court ordered the permanent forfeiture of 48 properties to the Federal Government.

Released Properties: The court lifted the interim forfeiture order on the remaining nine properties, holding that the EFCC failed to establish that they were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.

The following are the properties make up the full list of Malami properties forfeited to the EFCC’S Interim Order Marked FHCIABJ/Cs/20/2026:

1. Luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja (purchased in December 2022 for N500 million; enhanced value: N5.95 billion).
2. Two-winged storey building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), purchased in December 2018 for N7 billion.
3. Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Abuja, comprising a five-storey building now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms and suites (purchased in September 2020 at carcass level for N850 million, with an additional N300 million paid to take possession; current value: N8.4 billion).
4. Property No. 3130, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja, comprising terraces, purchased in January 2021 for N360 million.
5. Meethaq Hotels Limited, No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, with 15 rooms (purchased in February 2018 for N430 million; current value after rehabilitation: N12.95 billion).
6. Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), Abuja, purchased in July 2021 for N325 million.
7. Shop No. C82, Citiscape-Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 for N120 million.
8. No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 for N300 million.
9. Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019.
10. Plaza, commercial toilets, laundry, warehouses and tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market, valued at N100 million.
11. One hundred hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road, purchased in 2020 for N100 million.
12. Four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for N101 million.
13. Shops A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in July 2023 for N158 million.
14. No. 26, Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 for N136 million.
15. No. 27, Efab Estate Avenue, 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarinpa, Abuja, purchased in January 2016 for N120 million.
16. Four-bedroom bungalow with two-room boys’ quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 for N40 million.
17. Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 for N85 million.
18. Duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in October 2018 for N150 million.
19. Warehouse shops B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 for N50 million.
20. Twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, purchased between February and May 2017 for N250 million.

Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative, Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi

21. Nine units of three-bedroom bungalows.
22. Three units of two-bedroom bungalows.
23. 5.4 hectares of land (acquired between February and September 2023 for N187 million).

Rayhaan University, Kebbi State

24. Permanent site – N56 billion.
25. Temporary site – N37.8 billion.
26. Third site – N2.45 billion.
27. Vice-Chancellor’s residence – N490 million.

Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Kebbi State

28. Factory buildings – N4.2 billion.
29. Factory machines and plant – N10.5 billion.
30. Factory mosque – N2.45 billion.
31. Staff quarters – N1.4875 billion.
32. Bustan building – N3.15 billion.

Azbir Arena, Kebbi State

33. Azbir Hotel – N10.325 billion.
34. Printing press – N1.05 billion.
35. Gallery – N581 million.
36. Gardens – N392 million.
37. Mosque – N252 million.
38. Azbir Clothing – N350 million.
39. Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket – N175 million.

Other properties in Kebbi State

40. Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre, Birnin Kebbi – N2.45 billion.
41. Rayhaan Model Academy – N11.2 billion.
42. Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School – N8.75 billion.
43. Rayhaan Security House, Birnin Kebbi – N245.7 million.
44. Rayhaan Radio, Birnin Kebbi – N78.75 million.
45. Uncompleted two-storey plaza opposite Central Motor Park (Eastern Park), Birnin Kebbi – N665 million.
46. Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd filling station structure along Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi – N1.05 billion.
47. Malami Support Organisation building – N210 million.
48. ADC Kadi Malami Foundation building – N56 million.
49. Abubakar Malami (SAN)’s house, GRA, Birnin Kebbi – N350 million.
50. Abubakar Malami (SAN)’s house behind Mobil, Birnin Kebbi – N490 million.
51. Abdulaziz Malami’s house at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi – N1.659 billion.
52. Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami’s house at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi – N2.989 billion.

Properties in Kano State

53. Zeennoor Hotel, Kabuga Satellite Town, Kano, with 131 rooms – N11.2 billion.
54. Zeennoor Mosque, Kabuga Satellite Town, Kano – N84 million.
55. Zeennoor Old Hotel Building – N280 million.
56. Rayhaan Hotel, opposite Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, comprising more than 50 rooms – N2.24 billion.
57. Rayhaan Gym, opposite Rayhaan Hotel, Kano – N1.225 billion