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Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami, sons

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former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN),

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 landed properties allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman.

The properties, valued at about ₦213.23bn, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.

Justice Emeka Nwite made the order on Monday after granting an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The application was argued by counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

In his ruling, Justice Nwite ordered that the assets listed in the schedule attached to the motion be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge said, “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Justice Nwite further directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national daily newspaper, inviting any person or organisation with interest in the properties to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made.

He adjourned the matter till January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance.

₦8.7bn laundering trial

Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently standing trial before Justice Nwite over an alleged ₦8.7bn money laundering charge.

The properties listed for interim forfeiture include university buildings, agro-allied factory buildings, hotels, supermarkets, pharmacies, oil and gas filling stations, primary and secondary schools, shops and other commercial and residential buildings.

Among the assets are a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Plot 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja, reportedly purchased in December 2022 for ₦500m and later enhanced to an estimated value of ₦5.95bn.

Also listed is a two-winged storey building at 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited, acquired in December 2018 for ₦7bn.

Others include a five-storey building on Plot 683, Jabi District, now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms, purchased in September 2020 at carcass level for ₦850m, with an additional ₦300m paid to take possession, and now valued at about ₦8.4bn.

The list further contains terraces at property No. 3130, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja, bought in January 2021 for ₦360m, and Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama, located at No. 3 Rhine Street, Abuja, purchased in February 2018 for ₦430m and reportedly valued at about ₦12.95bn after rehabilitation.

Other affected assets include properties in Asokoro, Wuse II, Gwarimpa and Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja; residential and commercial buildings in Kano; a 100-hectare parcel of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road; a four-bedroom bungalow in Birnin Kebbi; and residential properties in Kaduna.

Also listed are multiple housing units and hectares of land acquired through Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, among other assets.

The court is expected to decide, after the expiration of the 14-day notice period, whether the properties will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

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Crime & Court

Joshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial

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File photo of Adeniyi and Anthony Joshua

The Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu has adjourned the trial of the driver involved in the road crash that affected former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to June 2, 2026.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, fixed the new date to allow the prosecution to file fresh charges in the case.

The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving resulting in death.

It was gathered that the matter had been adjourned about four times to enable the prosecuting counsel, G. O. Ogunyomi, amend the charges before the court.

Mobolaji was accused of reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the relevant law, as well as driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm, and damage to property under Section 7(1).

He was also alleged to have driven without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

Ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, the magistrate granted the request and fixed June 2 for proper hearing. The defence counsel did not oppose the application.

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, said the adjournment was necessary to ensure justice for all parties involved.

The 46-year-old defendant was involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, along the Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The Lexus SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck, leaving Joshua and the driver with minor injuries.

Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after being certified clinically stable.

The deaths of Ayodele and Ghami drew widespread reactions within the international boxing community, where both men were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s camp.

Their remains were subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.

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Crime & Court

NDLEA Ends 15-Year Hunt for Alleged Drug Lord in Lagos

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.

Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.

He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.

“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.

“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.

Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.

He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.

“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.

“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”

Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.

He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.

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Crime & Court

Court Acquits Suspended DCP  Kyari, Faults NDLEA Over Weak Evidence

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File photo of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.

Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.

However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.

Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.

According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.

The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.

The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.

He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.

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