The anti-graft agency is seeking the final forfeiture of the properties, alleging that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
A statement by the EFCC noted that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date after counsel to the Commission, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), and lawyers representing Malami and other respondents adopted their respective processes and presented arguments for and against the application.
Arguing the motion on Tuesday, EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa told the court that the application, filed in February, was backed by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits.
He described the motion as being contained in “three volumes” and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by the commission.
Relying on the filed processes, Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents had failed to sufficiently demonstrate that the properties were lawfully acquired.
Counsel to Malami and the other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, opposed the application and asked the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.
The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on an amended 16-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8.71 billion.
Adedeji told the court that the respondents’ application, filed on February 27 and supported by a 109-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Malami himself, was intended to show cause why the final forfeiture request should not succeed.
According to him, the EFCC failed to provide concrete evidence linking the properties to criminal proceeds and merely relied on suspicion.
