List of ₦213.2bn Worth of Properties Court Orders Malami to Forfeit to Federal Government

Federal High Court orders interim forfeiture of ₦213.2bn in properties linked to former AGF Abubakar Malami

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 high-value properties estimated at ₦213.2 billion to the Federal Government of Nigeria, marking a significant development in one of the country’s most closely watched anti-corruption cases. The ruling follows an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is investigating alleged large-scale money laundering and illicit asset acquisition linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN.  The court order, granted by Justice Emeka Nwite, affects luxury residential buildings, commercial plazas, hotels, vast parcels of land, and other assets spread across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna states.  Although the decision was delivered earlier in the week, a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the order was sighted by journalists on Wednesday, bringing renewed public attention to the scale of assets under investigation.

Justice Nwite granted the interim forfeiture after considering an ex parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN. The anti-graft agency argued that the listed properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and are therefore liable to temporary forfeiture pending the outcome of ongoing criminal proceedings.
In his ruling, the judge stated:

“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 One below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The court stressed that the forfeiture is interim, not final, and does not amount to a declaration of guilt against any individual.

As part of the ruling, Justice Nwite directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national daily newspaper. This publication is intended to notify the general public and provide an opportunity for any person or organization claiming an interest in the properties to appear before the court. Interested parties have 14 days from the date of publication to “show cause” why a final forfeiture order should not be made against the assets. The case was subsequently adjourned to a later date to allow the court to receive a report confirming compliance with the publication directive.

According to court documents, the properties listed in the forfeiture schedule are located in some of Nigeria’s most expensive and strategic urban areas, particularly in Abuja’s high-brow districts such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Jabi, Gwarimpa, Apo Legislative Quarters, and Karsana.  Other properties are spread across the Kano metropolis, Birnin Kebbi, and parts of Kaduna State, reflecting what investigators describe as a pattern of asset acquisition across multiple states over several years.

Breakdown of Key Properties Listed in the Court Order
Below is a detailed breakdown of some of the high-value properties listed in the interim forfeiture order:
1. Luxury Duplex, Maitama, Abuja
A luxury duplex located on Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja, purchased in December 2022 for ₦500 million. After extensive enhancements, the property is now valued at approximately ₦5.95 billion.

2. Former Harmonia Hotels Building, Garki, Abuja
A two-winged, two-story building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, previously operated as Harmonia Hotels Limited. It was acquired in December 2018 for ₦7 billion.

3. Meethaq Hotels, Jabi District
Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja, featuring a five-story hotel with 53 rooms, currently operating as Meethaq Hotels Limited. The property was purchased at carcass level in September 2020 for ₦850 million, with an additional ₦300 million reportedly paid to secure possession.

4. Terrace Buildings, Asokoro District
Property No. 3130, Asokoro District, Abuja, consisting of terrace buildings purchased in January 2021 for ₦360 million.

5. Meethaq Hotels, Maitama
Located at No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, this 15-room hotel was acquired in February 2018 for ₦430 million and later upgraded. The property is now valued at approximately ₦12.95 billion.

6. Prime Asokoro Plot
Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District, Abuja, purchased in July 2021 for ₦325 million.

7. Citiscape–Shariff Plaza Shop, Wuse II
Shop No. C82, Citiscape–Shariff Plaza, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, acquired in March 2024 for ₦120 million.

8. Kano Residential Properties
A residential property at No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 for ₦300 million, as well as Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, acquired in July 2019.

9. Commercial Plaza and Vast Land in Kebbi
A commercial plaza near Birnin Kebbi Market, purchased in 2021 for ₦100 million, alongside 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, acquired in 2020 for another ₦100 million.

10. Residential Bungalow in Birnin Kebbi
A four-bedroom bungalow located at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for ₦101 million.

11. Vegas Mall Shops, Abuja
Shops A36 and B3 at Vegas Mall, Wuse II, were purchased in July 2023 for ₦158 million.

12. BUA Estate and Gwarimpa Properties
Properties at No. 26 Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja (₦136 million, 2022) and No. 27 EFAB Estates Avenue, Gwarimpa (₦120 million, January 2016).

13. Kaduna Property
A four-bedroom bungalow with boys’ quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 for ₦40 million.

14. Additional Abuja Assets
Other assets include properties in Karsana District, Wuse II, Wuse Market, Apo Legislative Quarters, and multiple warehouses and duplexes acquired between 2016 and 2020.

15. Assets Linked to Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative
Properties acquired by the organization at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, comprising nine three-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land, purchased between February and September 2023 for ₦187 million.

Several other assets were also listed in the schedule attached to the court order, bringing the total estimated value to ₦213.2 billion.

The interim forfeiture order is closely connected to an ongoing criminal trial involving Abubakar Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz.
The defendants are standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite on an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering charge, filed by the EFCC under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025.
An employee of a company allegedly linked to the former minister is also named as a defendant in the case.

EFCC’s Allegation According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly engaged in suspicious financial transactions and attempted to conceal the origin of funds through a complex web of bank accounts, corporate entities, and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi between 2015 and 2025.
The anti-graft agency claims the properties were acquired using proceeds reasonably suspected to be derived from unlawful activities.

Despite the sweeping interim forfeiture, the court emphasized that the order does not amount to a final determination of ownership or guilt.  All defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the law presumes them innocent until proven otherwise. They are entitled to present evidence, challenge the EFCC’s claims, and defend their interests in the affected properties.  The final outcome will depend on the court’s assessment of evidence presented during the trial and any responses filed during the forfeiture proceedings.

Related Post... Breaking News: Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, Son and Wife Secure N1.5bn Bail in Abuja Money Laundering Case

The case has attracted nationwide attention due to the high profile of the former Attorney-General, the sheer value of the assets involved, and its implications for Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption.
Legal analysts say the outcome could set an important precedent for asset recovery, public accountability, and transparency in cases involving politically exposed persons.  As proceedings continue, Nigerians and the international community will be watching closely to see how the courts balance due process, asset recovery, and the rule of law.

This story will be updated as more details emerge.

By Primelineinfo