Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 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 of Nigeria. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had successfully established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired from lawful sources of income.
Properties Forfeited Include University and Radio Station
Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent site, temporary site, third site, and the Vice Chancellor's House, as well as Rayhaan Radio located along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi. Other high-value properties include a luxury duplex in Abuja's Maitama District, a three-storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), and Plot 683, Jabi District, which houses the luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd. with 53 rooms.
Additional properties forfeited include Meethaq Hotels Ltd. at No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama (15 rooms), a five-storey building at Plot 683 Jabi, terraces in Asokoro District, and Plot No. 1241B Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent). The list also comprises commercial properties such as Shop No. C52 at Citiscape – Shariff Plaza, Wuse II, a commercial plaza in Birnin Kebbi, and two 100-hectare plots of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.
Residential and Agricultural Assets
Residential properties include a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi, a four-bedroom house with boys' quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, and a bedroom duplex with boys' quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Wuse II, Abuja. The forfeiture also covers twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja, and nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi.
Agricultural and industrial assets include the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory in Kebbi State, comprising factory buildings, machines, plant units, a mosque, staff quarters, and the Rayhaan Bustan Building. Also forfeited are assets at Azbir Arena, Kebbi State, including Azbir Hotel, Printing Press, Gallery, Gardens, Mosque, Azbir Clothing, and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket.
Other Assets and Court Proceedings
The court also ordered the forfeiture of Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage, Rayhaan Security House, an uncompleted two-storey plaza, and Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd. filling station structure, all in Birnin Kebbi. In Kano, the assets of Zeennoor Hotel (131 rooms), Zeennoor Mosque, and the old Zeennoor Hotel building were forfeited.
The case began on January 6, 2026, when Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion by EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN. The EFCC published the interim order in national dailies, inviting interested parties to show cause why the final forfeiture should not be granted. Subsequently, Malami and 14 other persons, including family members and associates, filed applications to set aside the interim order, challenging the court's jurisdiction. The case was heard before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on May 27, 2026, and judgment was delivered on July 15, 2026.
Court's Ruling on Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture
In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik held that the EFCC had sufficiently established that the 48 properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden placed on them, as they could not show the legitimate sources of funds used in acquiring the properties. The court emphasized that non-conviction based forfeiture proceedings require respondents to adduce evidence showing lawful sources of funds, not merely bare assertions of ownership.
