The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government after ruling that they were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Wednesday, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully established that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and not from legitimate sources of income.
Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice Chancellor’s residence, and Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.
Other forfeited properties include luxury residential buildings and hotels in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi States, notably Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, Harmonia Hotels in Garki, commercial plazas, warehouses, filling stations, agricultural facilities, extensive land holdings, and several residential estates.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory in Kebbi State, including its buildings, machinery, staff quarters, mosque and other facilities. Assets belonging to Azbir Arena, including Azbir Hotel, a printing press, gardens, mosque, clothing outlet, pharmacy and supermarket, were equally forfeited.
Also affected are the assets of Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, comprising its 131-room hotel, mosque and the old hotel building, as well as other commercial and residential properties spread across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi States.
The ruling followed an interim forfeiture order granted by Justice Emeka Nwite on January 6, 2026, after an ex parte application filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
Following the interim order, the EFCC published notices in national newspapers inviting interested persons to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Malami and 14 other respondents, including members of his family and associates, subsequently challenged the interim forfeiture order, questioned the court’s jurisdiction and urged the court to reject the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.
After hearing the matter on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment.
In her ruling, the judge held that the respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden required in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings, noting that they merely claimed ownership of the properties without providing credible evidence of the legitimate sources of funds used to acquire them.
The court ruled that in such proceedings, respondents are required to demonstrate that the assets were acquired with lawfully earned income rather than relying on bare assertions of ownership.
Consequently, the court granted the EFCC’s application and ordered the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
