By Florencemary Nwabueze

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in her ruling, held that the anti-graft agency had successfully established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired from legitimate sources of income.

Among the high-profile assets now permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria is Rayhaan University, Kebbi State, including its permanent site, temporary site, third site, the Vice Chancellor's House, and Rayhaan Radio located along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi.

The forfeiture list also includes several luxury properties in Abuja's most exclusive neighborhoods, including: A luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Maitama District, a three-storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), a five-storey building at Plot 683, Jabi District (now Meethaq Hotels Ltd.), property No. 3130, Asokoro District, No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama (Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Maitama).

Other significant assets include commercial properties in Kano State, a filling station structure along Sani Abacha Bypass Road in Birnin Kebbi, and the Zeennoor Hotel in Kano with 131 rooms, including its mosque and old building.

The judgment follows an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, after an ex parte motion moved by EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho.

In compliance with court directives, the EFCC published the interim order in national dailies, inviting interested parties to show cause why the final forfeiture should not be granted.

Malami and 14 other persons, mainly his family members and associates, filed applications challenging the court's jurisdiction and urging it not to grant the final forfeiture order.

Justice Abdulmalik, who heard the case on May 27, 2026, held that the respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden placed on them, as they could not demonstrate the legitimate sources of funds used in acquiring the properties.

"Non conviction-based forfeiture proceedings require respondents to adduce evidence showing the lawful sources of funds used in acquiring the properties, and not merely make bare assertions of ownership," the court ruled.

The complete list of forfeited assets includes:
· Multiple properties in Abuja's Cadastral Zones
· Commercial plazas and shops in Wuse Market and Vegas Mall
· Residential properties in Kaduna, Kano, and Kebbi states
· The Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory in Kebbi State, including factory buildings, machines, plant units, factory mosque, staff quarters, and the Rayhaan Bustan Building
· Assets at Azbir Arena, Kebbi State, including Azbir Hotel, Printing Press, Gallery, Gardens, Mosque, Azbir Clothing, and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket
· The Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage
· Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd. filling station
· 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road (two separate parcels)

The EFCC has hailed the judgment as a significant achievement in its efforts to recover assets believed to have been acquired through corrupt means.