By David Lawani, with agency report
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to unlawful activities involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and moved by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
In the ruling, the judge held that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, adding that the forfeiture was necessary pending the determination of the substantive money laundering charges against the former minister and other defendants.
“It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The court also directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national daily, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the properties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be made. The matter was adjourned to January 31 for a compliance report.
The forfeited assets—described as multi-billion-naira properties—are located across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna States. They include, among others: a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja, acquired in 2022 for ₦500 million and now valued at about ₦5.95 billion; a two-winged, three-storey building on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, formerly Harmonia Hotels, purchased for ₦7 billion.
“A five-storey hotel complex in Jabi, Abuja, valued at ₦8.4 billion; High-end hotel properties in Maitama and Asokoro; Commercial plazas, warehouses and shops in Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi; Over 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road; Residential estates, bungalows, duplexes and multiple commercial outlets acquired between 2016 and 2024.”
*Grants ₦500m bail to former justice minister, wife, son
Meanwhile, the court has granted Malami bail of ₦500 million in connection with the alleged money laundering charges.
The same bail terms were extended to his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
Under the bail conditions, each defendant is to provide two sureties in like sum, who must own landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa within the Federal Capital Territory.
The court ordered that all title documents be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation), while the sureties must depose to affidavits of means.
Justice Nwite further directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court and barred them from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval.
Pending fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were ordered remanded to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
At the proceedings, the trial judge issued a stern warning to lawyers and litigants, cautioning against any attempt to influence the court.
“I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, do not approach me. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned,” Justice Nwite declared.
*Judge warns lawyers, rejects influence in ex-AGF’s trial
He warned that any attempt to tarnish the court’s integrity would be firmly resisted, stressing that judicial proceedings would be conducted strictly in accordance with the law.
Malami, his son and Asabe are facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion, filed by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired to procure, conceal, and disguise the origin of funds through bank accounts and large-scale property acquisitions between 2015 and 2025, a period that covered Malami’s tenure as Attorney General under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The offences are said to contravene the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to February 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
