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.
