A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 high-value properties estimated at ₦213.2 billion, allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons.

The order was granted on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was contained in a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the properties—spread across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna States—are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Granting the application, Justice Nwite ruled: “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.”

Court invites objections within 14 days
The judge further directed that the forfeiture order be published in a national daily, inviting any individual or organisation with interest in the assets to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be made.

He subsequently adjourned the matter to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance.

The EFCC disclosed that the assets include luxury duplexes, hotels, plazas, schools, filling stations, warehouses, shopping malls, agricultural facilities and over 100 hectares of land, some of which were allegedly acquired during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General.

Among the notable properties listed are a luxury duplex in Maitama valued at ₦5.95bn after enhancement, a 53-room hotel in Jabi valued at ₦8.4bn, and a 15-room hotel in Maitama with a post-renovation value of ₦12.95bn.

Others include estates in Asokoro, Gwarimpa, Wuse II, Apo Legislative Quarters, commercial assets in Kano, and expansive land holdings along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.

The anti-graft agency confirmed that Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz are currently standing trial before the same court over an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering charge.

The EFCC stated that the interim forfeiture is part of ongoing efforts to preserve assets pending the determination of criminal proceedings.