The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a final forfeiture order on 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
In a motion filed before the court, the anti-graft agency argued that the respondents failed to present sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted against the assets.
Listed as respondents in the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026) are Malami, his son Abdulaziz, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami. Several companies and individuals, including Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, were also named.
The EFCC based its application on six grounds, emphasizing that the court is empowered under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, to grant final forfeiture. It described the process as a non-conviction-based asset recovery proceeding, noting that the properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to the commission, after the interim forfeiture order was published in a national daily on January 9, no convincing justification was provided by the respondents to prevent the assets from being permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In a supporting affidavit, the EFCC disclosed that multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud were filed against Malami during and after his tenure from 2015 to 2023. Investigations reportedly involved financial records obtained from commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, as well as inquiries with agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System.
Further checks were conducted with land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states, alongside the National Universities Commission, while site inspections and asset valuations were also carried out.
The commission detailed Malami’s declared earnings during his time in office, stating that he received N89.66 million in salaries between 2015 and 2023, a severance package of N12.15 million, and N253.6 million in estacode allowances for official foreign trips.
However, the EFCC argued that these earnings are grossly disproportionate to the value of the properties under investigation. It further alleged that many of the structures lacked proper building approvals and were part of efforts to conceal the origin of illicit funds.
The agency also claimed that several assets were acquired indirectly through proxies and corporate entities allegedly linked to Malami under the Rayhaan Group.
The properties, numbering 57, are said to be located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, including sites associated with Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for the hearing of the EFCC’s motion for final forfeiture.
