Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Malami

By Opeyemi Adelakun

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, after ruling that those claiming ownership failed to establish that the assets were acquired through legitimate means.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday, granting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application for the permanent forfeiture of the properties.

Before delivering the ruling, the court dismissed several objections and applications filed by Malami, members of his family and companies claiming ownership of the assets, describing them as lacking merit.

Justice Abdulmalik held that the central issue before the court was not ownership of the properties but whether the funds used to acquire them were legitimate.

According to the court, the respondents failed to rebut the EFCC’s reasonable suspicion that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The judge relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act in granting the final forfeiture order.

However, the court set aside the interim forfeiture order in respect of some of the properties. The EFCC had initially sought the forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about ₦212.8 billion across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna states.

The court clarified that the civil forfeiture order does not amount to a criminal conviction or a finding of guilt against Malami or any other claimant.

The EFCC had filed the civil forfeiture suit in January, alleging that the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and held through individuals and companies acting as fronts for the former minister.

Malami, his wife, Nana Hadiza Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, had argued that the assets were lawfully acquired and that the anti-graft agency failed to establish any link between the properties and criminal activities.

The respondents also maintained that the commission relied on speculation rather than credible evidence.

Following arguments from both parties and the adoption of final written addresses in May, the court reserved judgment before delivering its decision on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Malami, his wife and son are facing separate charges involving an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering case before the court.