A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties, suspected to be proceeds from unlawful activities, linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), along with his two sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, following an ex-parte motion filed by counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
The properties, valued at £213,234,120,000, are situated in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated, “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The judge also instructed the publication of the interim order in a national daily, inviting any interested parties to show cause within 14 days of publication why a final order of forfeiture should not be granted.
The matter has been adjourned until 27 January 2026 for a compliance report.
Malami, along with his wife, Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently facing an alleged £8.7 billion money laundering charge before Justice Nwite.
The properties include Rayhaan University Buildings, agro-allied factory buildings, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, schools, oil and gas filling stations, and various commercial buildings. Notable examples include:
– A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 in Maitama, purchased in December 2022 for £500,000,000 (current value £5,950,000,000).
– A large two-winged storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, purchased in December 2018 for £7,000,000,000.
– Plot 683, Jabi District, comprising a five-storey building (now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd) purchased in September 2020 at carcass level for £850,000,000, with an additional £300,000,000 for completion (current value £8,400,000,000).
Additional properties include:
– Property No. 3130 in Asokoro, purchased in January 2021 for £360,000,000.
– Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, purchased in February 2018 for £430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation is £12,950,000,000).
– A shop in Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, purchased in March 2024 for £120,000,000.
Other properties include plots of land, bungalows, and commercial units across various locations, purchased between 2016 and 2023, with total values reflecting substantial investments in real estate.
