EFCC Seeks Final Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Former Minister
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to permanently forfeit 57 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, the former Minister of Justice. The agency argues that these assets are proceeds of unlawful activities and should be transferred to the Federal Government.
In a motion for final forfeiture, the EFCC’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, submitted that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn the previous interim order. The court was informed that the respondents had not demonstrated valid reasons to prevent the final forfeiture of the properties.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, named several individuals and entities as respondents. These include:
- Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami (1st to 4th respondents)
- Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd (5th to 9th respondents)
- Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, Real Edge Agro Services Ltd (10th to 15th respondents)
The application was based on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006. According to the EFCC, the court has the statutory authority to issue a final order forfeiting the properties described in the schedule, which were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Okutepa outlined six grounds for the application, emphasizing that the proceeding is non-conviction-based. He stated that the properties sought for forfeiture are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Additionally, he noted that the court had issued an interim order for the forfeiture, which was published in a national daily on January 9, 2026. The lawyer argued that no sufficient cause has been shown to prevent the final forfeiture.
Investigation Findings Highlight Disproportionate Income
Daniel Adebayo, an investigating officer with the Special Duties Committee of the EFCC, provided an affidavit supporting the motion. He stated that the commission received multiple petitions against the former minister, alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud. His team conducted extensive investigations, including gathering financial records from commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as correspondence with various regulatory bodies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS).
Adebayo also mentioned visits to the Land Registry of Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano States, along with the Kebbi State Inland Revenue Service, FCT Inland Revenue Services, and National Universities Commission (NUC). The team also inspected sold landed properties and evaluated the assets.
He highlighted that Malami’s lawful sources of income during his tenure as minister between 2015 and 2023 were insufficient to explain the alleged properties he acquired. The officer stated:
- Malami received a total salary of N89,664,000.00 from 2015 to 2023.
- He also received a severance allowance of N12,158,400.00 upon leaving office.
- He declared travel expenses totaling N253,608,500.00 for official trips between 2015 and 2023.
Adebayo added that no building permits were obtained for most structures in Kano and Kebbi States, suggesting an attempt to conceal the unlawful origin of the funds used to acquire the assets. He further alleged that Malami indirectly acquired some properties through third-party individuals or front companies under his chairmanship via the Rayhaan Group Ltd.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The EFCC listed 57 multi-billion naira landed properties located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States, including temporary and permanent sites of Rayhaan University in Kebbi. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set April 21 for the hearing of the motion.
A sister court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, had previously ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 properties on January 6. The judge directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national daily, allowing interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
The case was later reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who recused himself before it was transferred to Justice Abdulmalik. Malami and other respondents have since challenged the EFCC’s civil suit, requesting the court to vacate the order.
