A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has approved the permanent transfer of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to the Federal Government, following a ruling on a final forfeiture application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter, dismissed every objection raised by Malami, members of his family, and several companies that had claimed ownership of portions of the seized assets. The judge found none of the objections convincing.
EFCC's Civil Forfeiture Suit
The EFCC in January 2026 filed the civil forfeiture suit against the former minister and sought the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties worth N212.8 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities. The court granted the final forfeiture of 48 of those properties.
Properties in Abuja
Among the forfeited assets are several high-value properties in Abuja, including a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased in December 2022 at N500 million, with an enhanced value of N5.95 billion. Also forfeited is a two-winged large storey building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), purchased in December 2018 at N7 billion. Plot 683, Jabi District, comprising a five-storey building (now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi with 53 rooms/suites), was purchased in September 2020 at N850 million carcass level with an additional N300 million to take possession, valued after completion at N8.4 billion.
Other Abuja properties include No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District (terraces, purchased January 2021 at N360 million); No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama, with 15 rooms, purchased February 2018 at N430 million, current value N12.95 billion); Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent, purchased July 2021 at N325 million); Shop No. C82 Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Wuse II (purchased March 2024 at N120 million); Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2 (purchased July 2023 at N158 million); No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate (purchased 2022 at N136 million); No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, Gwarampa (purchased January 2016 at N120 million); Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District (purchased June 2018 at N85 million); a bedroom duplex at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Wuse II (purchased October 2018 at N150 million); Two Warehouse Shops B40 and B46, Wuse Market (purchased July 2020 at N50 million); and Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District (purchased between February and May 2017 at N250 million).
Properties in Kebbi and Kano
In Kebbi State, properties include a plaza, commercial toilets, and warehouse tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market at N100 million; 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road (purchased 2020 at N100 million); a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi (purchased 2023 at N101 million); and nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi (purchased between February and September 2023 at N187 million).
Assets linked to Rayhaan University in Kebbi state were also forfeited, including the permanent site valued at N56 billion, temporary site at N37.8 billion, and a third site at N2.45 billion. The Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory includes factory buildings (N4.2 billion), factory machines and plants (N10.5 billion), factory mosque (N2.45 billion), and staff quarters (N1.4875 billion). Azbir Arewa properties in Kebbi include Azbir Hotel (N10.325 billion), printing press (N1.05 billion), gallery (N581 million), gardens (N392 million), mosque (N252 million), Azbir Clothing (N350 million), and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket (N175 million).
Other Kebbi properties include Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage (N2.45 billion), Rayhaan Model Academy (N11.2 billion), Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School (N8.75 billion), Rayhaan Security House (N245.7 million), Rayhaan Radio (N78.75 million), an uncompleted two-storey complex plaza (N665 million), Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd filling station (N1.05 billion), Malami Support Organization Building (N210 million), and ADC Kadi Malami Foundation Building (N56 million). Personal residences include Abubakar Malami SAN's House GRA (N350 million), his House Behind Mobil (N490 million), his first son's house at Gesse Phase II (N1.659 billion), and his second son's house at Gesse Phase II (N2.989 billion).
In Kano State, forfeited assets include Zeennoor Hotel at Kabuga Satellite Town with 131 rooms (N11.2 billion), Zeennoor Mosque (N84 million), Zeennor Old Hotel Building (N280 million), Rayhaan Hotel, Kano (N2.24 billion), and Rayhaan Gym (N1.225 billion).
Other Properties
Additional properties include No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano (purchased December 2022 at N300 million); Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano (purchased July 2019, no specific amount stated); and a four-bedroom/2-room boys quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna (purchased January 2018 at N40 million).
