By Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties, valued at about ₦212 billion, linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government.
The ruling represents one of the largest court-backed asset recovery victories ever secured against a former member of Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and dismissed objections raised by Malami, members of his family and companies claiming ownership of the assets.
The judge held that the central issue before the court was not ownership but the legitimacy of the funds used in acquiring the properties.
“The issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate the funds used to acquire the properties are.”
She ruled that the anti-graft agency had established reasonable grounds that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired through lawful income.
The forfeiture order affects properties spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
Among the assets are luxury hotels, commercial plazas, shopping complexes, residential estates, schools, factories, warehouses, filling stations and large expanses of land.
Some of Abuja’s most expensive real estate assets were swept into the forfeiture order.
These include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street in Maitama, valued at almost ₦6 billion; Meethaq Hotels in Maitama and Jabi; a two-wing hotel complex in Area 11, Garki; terraces in Asokoro; and residential properties in Apo Legislative Quarters, Gwarimpa, Karsana, BUA Estate, and Wuse II.
Also forfeited are shopping units at Citiscape Shariff Plaza in Wuse II, warehouse shops at Wuse Market and commercial assets in Jabi and Area 11.
In Kano, the court ordered the forfeiture of properties in Nasarawa GRA and the 131-room Zeennoor Hotel in Kabuga Satellite Town.
Also affected are the Rayhaan Hotel opposite Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, the Rayhaan Gym complex and several hospitality investments linked to the former minister.
The forfeiture order equally covers an extensive network of assets in Kebbi State.
Among them are more than 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road, shopping plazas, warehouses, market facilities and commercial developments adjoining the Birnin Kebbi Market.
Perhaps the most valuable asset is the Rayhaan University project.
The court ordered the forfeiture of the university’s permanent site, valued at ₦56 billion; its temporary campus, valued at ₦37.8 billion; and a third site, valued at ₦2.45 billion.
Also affected are the vice chancellor’s residence and associated educational facilities.
The order further covers Rayhaan Model Academy, Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School and several educational support facilities linked to the institution.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, including factory buildings, machinery and plant units, staff quarters, mosque and the Rayhaan Bustan complex.
Other commercial assets affected include Azbir Hotel, a printing press, a gallery, gardens, a pharmacy, a supermarket, a clothing business, and associated business facilities.
Also forfeited are the Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage, an uncompleted commercial plaza opposite the Central Motor Park in Birnin Kebbi and an Amasdul Oil and Gas filling station.
The ruling extends to buildings linked to the Malami Support Organisation and the ADC Kadi Malami Foundation.
Several residential properties allegedly linked to members of Malami’s immediate family were equally affected.
They include houses allegedly belonging to the former minister, his first son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his second son, Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami, all located in Birnin Kebbi.
The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order covering 57 properties and invited interested parties to show cause why the assets should not permanently revert to the Federal Government.
After considering the objections and submissions of all parties, the court granted final forfeiture in respect of 48 of the assets.
In a statement issued after the judgment, the EFCC described the ruling as a breakthrough in its asset recovery efforts.
“The Commission had successfully established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired with lawful sources of income.
