April 03, (THEWILL) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant a final forfeiture order on 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, citing a significant disparity between his lawful earnings and the value of the assets under investigation.
The anti-graft agency, through a motion on notice filed by its legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, argued before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order.
Marked FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, the motion lists Malami alongside several individuals and corporate entities as respondents, including Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, Rayhaan Bustan, Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, and Real Edge Agro Services Ltd.
Invoking Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, the EFCC described the properties as “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” noting that the proceedings are rooted in non-conviction-based asset forfeiture mechanisms aimed at depriving individuals of illicitly acquired wealth.
Arguing the motion, Okutepa maintained that the court is empowered to grant the forfeiture, stressing that the interim order—published in THISDAY newspaper on January 9, 2026—was not effectively challenged within the stipulated period.
In a supporting affidavit, EFCC investigating officer Daniel Adebayo detailed the extensive investigation conducted by the Commission, including collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, Abuja Geographical Information System, and various land registries.
He stated that the investigative team carried out site inspections, asset valuations, and interviews to trace ownership and funding sources.
According to him, Malami’s documented lawful earnings between 2015 and 2023—including a salary of N89,664,000, severance allowance of N12,158,400, and travel allowances totaling N253,608,500—were grossly disproportionate to the value of the properties in question.
The EFCC further alleged that some of the assets were acquired through proxies and corporate entities linked to the Rayhaan Group Ltd, suggesting attempts to conceal beneficial ownership.
It also noted that several structures, particularly in Kano and Kebbi States, lacked requisite building approvals, raising concerns about regulatory compliance.
The properties covered by the application are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States, including temporary and permanent sites of Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
The case has undergone a series of judicial processes. Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on January 6, directing its publication to allow interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
The matter was subsequently reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who later recused himself, leading to its reassignment to Justice Abdulmalik.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed April 21 for the hearing of the EFCC’s motion for final forfeiture.
Meanwhile, Malami and other respondents have challenged the suit, seeking to vacate the interim forfeiture order, setting the stage for a crucial legal determination on the application of Nigeria’s asset recovery framework.
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