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 following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judgment, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, held that the EFCC successfully established that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and were not traced to 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 Sani Abacha Bypass Road in Birnin Kebbi.
Other major properties forfeited include a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja; the former Harmonia Hotels building in Garki, Abuja; Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, Abuja; terraces in Asokoro; commercial properties in Abuja and Kano; warehouses, shopping plazas, residential buildings and large parcels of land in Kebbi State.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, including its factory buildings, machinery, plant units, mosque, staff quarters and the Rayhaan Bustan Building.
Also affected are assets at Azbir Arena in Kebbi State, including Azbir Hotel, a printing press, gallery, gardens, mosque, clothing outlet, pharmacy and supermarket. Other properties forfeited include the Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage, Rayhaan Security House, an uncompleted two-storey plaza in Birnin Kebbi, an Amasdul Oil and Gas filling station structure, and the Zeennoor Hotel complex in Kano, comprising a 131-room hotel, mosque and the old hotel building.
Additional assets forfeited include commercial shops at Wuse Market and Vegas Mall in Abuja, residential properties in Gwarimpa, Karsana, Wuse II, Apo Legislative Quarters, Kaduna and Kano, as well as nine three-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom bungalows and 5.4 hectares of land belonging to Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative in Birnin Kebbi.
The court ruled that the respondents, including Malami, members of his family and associates, failed to provide credible evidence showing that the properties were acquired with lawfully earned income.
Justice Abdulmalik noted that merely claiming ownership of the assets was insufficient in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings. According to the court, the law requires respondents to demonstrate the legitimate sources of the funds used to acquire the properties.
The final forfeiture followed an interim order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite 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 parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Malami and 14 other respondents subsequently challenged the interim forfeiture, questioning the court’s jurisdiction and asking that the order be set aside. After hearing arguments from both sides on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment.
In its ruling, the court dismissed the respondents’ objections and granted the EFCC’s application for the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government.
