The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about N213.2 billion to the Federal Government following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after an ex parte motion filed by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN EFCC counsel.
The properties, which are under investigation, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The properties are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states. Although the ruling was delivered on Tuesday, a certified true copy of the order was sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties listed in Schedule 1 to the Federal Government and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper.
The publication is to invite any individual or organisation with an interest in the properties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be made. The matter was adjourned to a later date for a report on compliance.
The properties listed in the court order include a duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, purchased in December 2022 for N500 million and later valued at about N5.95 billion; a two-wing storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels Ltd, purchased in December 2018 for N7 billion; a five-storey building on Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja, operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd, acquired in September 2020 for N850 million, with an additional N300 million paid to take possession; terrace buildings on Property No. 3130, Asokoro District, Abuja, purchased in January 2021 for N360 million; and a property at No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd, purchased in February 2018 for N430 million and later valued at about N12.95 billion.
Read also: Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties worth ₦213.2bn linked to Malami, two sons
Other listed properties include Plot No. 1241B in Asokoro District, Abuja, purchased in July 2021 for N325 million; Shop C82 at Citiscape–Shariff Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja, acquired in March 2024 for N120 million; a residential property at No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 for N300 million; Plot 157 on Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, acquired in July 2019; a plaza near Birnin Kebbi Market purchased in 2021 for N100 million; and 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road purchased in 2020 for N100 million.
The list also includes a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for N101 million;
Shops A36 and B3 at Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, acquired in July 2023 for N158 million;
A property at No. 26 Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 for N136 million;
A property at No. 27 EFAB Estates Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, acquired in January 2016 for N120 million;
A four-bedroom bungalow with boys’ quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 for N40 million;
Plot No. 13 at IPENT 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 for N85 million;
A duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Wuse II, Abuja, acquired in October 2018 for N150 million;
Two warehouse shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 for N50 million;
Twin houses at Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja, purchased between February and May 2017 for N250 million.
Also listed are properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, including bungalow units and 5.4 hectares of land, purchased between February and September 2023 for N187 million, along with other assets contained in the schedule attached to the court order.
Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz are standing trial before the court over an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charge filed by the EFCC. The defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case remains before the court.
The court noted that the interim forfeiture does not amount to a final determination of ownership or guilt, as all parties are entitled to present their defence.
