The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to the Federal Government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had presented sufficient grounds for treating the assets as suspected proceeds of unlawful activities.
The forfeited portfolio cuts across education, hospitality, agriculture, energy, commercial real estate and residential property.
It includes Rayhaan University and its associated sites in Kebbi State, Rayhaan Radio, hotels, factories, filling-station facilities, warehouses, plazas and luxury homes.
Other prominent assets include Meethaq Hotels in Abuja, Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory and businesses located within Azbir Arena in Kebbi State. Properties situated in Maitama, Asokoro, Jabi, Wuse II, Gwarimpa, Kaduna and Kano were also covered by the order.
The geographical spread and variety of the assets make the ruling one of the more extensive property-forfeiture decisions secured by the EFCC against assets associated with a former senior government official.
The proceedings followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026. The EFCC subsequently published the order and invited individuals or organisations claiming an interest in the properties to explain why they should not be transferred permanently to the government.
Malami and 14 other respondents, including relatives and associates, challenged the interim decision. They questioned the court’s jurisdiction and submitted ownership claims in an attempt to prevent the final forfeiture.
The court, however, found that the respondents did not provide adequate financial records demonstrating that the properties were purchased with legitimate income.
Justice Abdulmalik held that asserting ownership was insufficient without evidence establishing the lawful origin of the acquisition funds.
The decision was made through a non-conviction-based forfeiture process. This allows a court to determine the status of suspected assets without making the forfeiture dependent on a prior criminal conviction against their alleged owners.
Consequently, the judgment should not be interpreted as a criminal conviction of Malami or the other respondents. Its immediate effect is the permanent transfer of the identified properties to the Federal Government unless the decision is overturned through an appeal.
