By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties valued at about N212 billion and linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application for final forfeiture and dismissed objections filed by Malami, members of his family, and several companies claiming ownership of the properties.
In her ruling, the judge held that the central issue before the court was not the ownership of the assets but the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire them.
“The issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties,” Justice Abdulmalik ruled.
The properties, spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states, include luxury hotels, duplexes, residential estates, plazas, warehouses, shopping units, educational institutions, industrial facilities and other high-value assets allegedly acquired over several years.
Among the assets are Meethaq Hotels in Maitama and Jabi, Abuja; Rayhaan University and its associated facilities in Kebbi State; the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory; Azbir Hotel and other commercial establishments in Kebbi; as well as Zeennoor Hotel and Rayhaan Hotel in Kano.
The assets also include luxury homes in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Birnin Kebbi, commercial properties in Wuse and Gwarimpa, filling stations, schools, a radio station, warehouses and large expanses of land.
The 57 properties were initially seized under an interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC. Following Wednesday’s ruling, 48 of the assets will now be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, while the status of the remaining nine was not immediately clear from the court’s decision.
The EFCC had argued that the assets were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and urged the court to grant their final forfeiture.
Malami, his family members and companies linked to the properties had challenged the application, but the court dismissed their objections, describing them as lacking merit.
The ruling marks one of the largest asset forfeiture decisions secured by the EFCC in recent years.
