ABUJA: 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, marking one of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) biggest victories in a non-conviction-based asset recovery case.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Wednesday after holding that the EFCC successfully established that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
The court further ruled that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide credible evidence proving that the assets were acquired through legitimate sources of income, thereby paving the way for their permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.
The judgment represents a major milestone in the EFCC’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign and reinforces the agency’s use of non-conviction-based asset recovery to recover allegedly illicit wealth.
The forfeited assets are spread across Abuja, Kebbi State, and Kano State, and include educational institutions, hotels, commercial plazas, luxury residential properties, factories, agricultural facilities, filling stations, warehouses, and vast parcels of land.
Among the high-profile assets forfeited are:
- Rayhaan University Permanent Site, Kebbi State
- Rayhaan University Temporary Site
- Rayhaan University Third Site
- Rayhaan University Vice-Chancellor’s Residence
- Rayhaan Radio, Birnin Kebbi
- Luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja
- Former Harmonia Hotels Building, Area 11, Abuja
- Meethaq Hotels, Jabi, Abuja
- Meethaq Hotels, Maitama, Abuja
- Luxury terraces in Asokoro, Abuja
- Property on Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro
- Commercial property at Citiscape-Shariff Plaza, Wuse II
- Properties in Nasarawa GRA, Kano
- Commercial Plaza near Birnin Kebbi Market
- Multiple residential properties in Abuja and Kaduna
- Shops at Vegas Mall, Wuse II
- Properties at BUA Estate and EFAB Estate, Gwarimpa
- Duplex in Wuse II
- Twin houses at Apo Legislative Quarters
The court also ordered the forfeiture of significant landed assets, including:
- Two separate 100-hectare parcels of land along the Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road.
- 5.4 hectares of land within Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi.
- Additional residential developments comprising:
- Nine three-bedroom bungalows.
- Three two-bedroom bungalows.
Several business ventures and commercial establishments linked to Malami were also forfeited, including:
- Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory.
- Factory buildings and industrial machinery.
- Rayhaan Mill staff quarters.
- Factory mosque.
- Rayhaan Bustan Building.
- Azbir Hotel.
- Azbir Printing Press.
- Azbir Gallery.
- Azbir Gardens.
- Azbir Mosque.
- Azbir Clothing.
- Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket.
- Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage.
- Rayhaan Security House.
- Uncompleted two-storey commercial plaza opposite Central Motor Park in Birnin Kebbi.
- Amasdul Oil and Gas Filling Station.
- Zeennoor Hotel, Kano.
- Zeennoor Mosque.
- Old Zeennoor Hotel Building.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the EFCC presented sufficient evidence to justify the permanent forfeiture of the assets, while the respondents failed to satisfactorily explain the legitimate sources of funds used in acquiring the properties.
The ruling effectively transfers ownership of all 48 assets to the Federal Government.
One of Nigeria’s Biggest Asset Recovery Cases
The judgment is regarded as one of the largest non-conviction-based forfeiture cases in Nigeria’s anti-corruption history, involving billions of naira worth of real estate, businesses, educational institutions, hotels, agricultural investments, and commercial facilities.
The decision is expected to strengthen the EFCC’s resolve in pursuing illicit assets and recovering public wealth allegedly acquired through unlawful means, while reinforcing the judiciary’s role in supporting Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive.
