The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final court order forfeiting 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment on Wednesday, ruling that the EFCC had established that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired through legitimate sources of income.
Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent and temporary campuses, vice chancellor’s residence and other facilities, as well as Rayhaan Radio. The order also covers Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, Azbir Arena and several commercial and hospitality businesses.
Other forfeited properties include luxury residences, hotels, commercial plazas, warehouses, filling stations, large parcels of land in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi states, as well as Zeennoor Hotel in Kano and several other residential and commercial developments.
The court held that the respondents failed to provide credible evidence showing the legitimate sources of funds used to acquire the properties. It ruled that merely claiming ownership was insufficient in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings.
Justice Abdulmalik stated that the respondents, including Malami, members of his family and associates, did not discharge the evidential burden required to overturn the EFCC’s case.
The forfeiture followed an interim order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite after an ex parte application filed by the EFCC. In line with the court’s directive, the commission published notices in national newspapers inviting interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami and 14 others subsequently challenged the interim order, questioned the court’s jurisdiction and urged it to dismiss the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.
After hearing arguments from both sides on May 27, 2026, the court ruled in favour of the EFCC, ordering the permanent forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government.
