ABUJA — The legal battle over the permanent seizure of a multi-billion naira property portfolio linked to the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, reached a critical climax on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, fixed July 6, 2026, to deliver its judgment on whether 57 luxury assets valued at an estimated ₦213.2 billion will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pushing for the final forfeiture of the sprawling real estate portfolio, which spans Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The commission contends that the assets—comprising luxury hotels, private schools, a university campus, factories, and commercial plazas—are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Fireworks in Court
During Tuesday’s intensive, hours-long proceedings, lead counsel for the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, alongside Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, moved the motion for final forfeiture. The anti-graft agency’s application, packed into three massive volumes, is anchored on a 77-paragraph affidavit deposed to by EFCC operative Adebayo Daniels, alongside 46 damning exhibits.
”The respondents have woefully failed to show cause or provide sufficient evidence to prove that these properties were acquired legitimately,” Okutepa argued, urging the court to dismiss the defense’s objections and permanently forfeit the assets to the state.
Conversely, lead defense counsel Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, mounted a fierce resistance, drawing the court’s attention to 16 separate Motions on Notice. The defense is seeking to entirely overturn the initial interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, by vacation judge Justice Emeka Nwite.
Adedeji presented a comprehensive 109-paragraph counter-affidavit personally sworn to by Malami, vehemently denying that the properties were tied to any financial crimes.
“My lord, we urge this honorable court to refuse and dismiss the order for final forfeiture. These properties are not proceeds of crime; the applicant’s case relies strictly on unproven suspicion,” Adedeji contended, pleading for an extension of time to formalize why the assets should remain with the former minister.
A High-Stakes Legal Climax
The high-profile asset seizure lists over 12 respondents, including Malami himself, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru Rahman Malami. Several corporate entities allegedly used to funnel resources—including Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Rayhaan University, and Zeenoor Hotels Ltd—were also named. Malami, his wife, and his son are separately battling an amended 16-count ₦8.7 billion money laundering charge brought by the anti-graft agency.
Among the prime properties targeted for permanent seizure are:
- Meethaq Hotels, Maitama (Abuja): Acquired for ₦430 million and post-rehabilitation valued at ₦12.95 billion.
- Meethaq Hotels, Jabi (Abuja): A five-storey luxury hospitality structure valued at ₦8.4 billion.
- Rayhaan University (Kebbi): Massive campus buildings, agro-allied factories, and heavy industrial machinery.
- Prime Lands: 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road, alongside several luxury terraces in Asokoro and Wuse II.
No Room for Delay
Attempting to manage the complex web of claims, third-party lawyers representing other individuals and entities came forward to claim stakes in specific properties (notably properties 8, 10, 20, 40, 46, and 50), pleading with the court to protect their interests.
However, Justice Abdulmalik drew a firm line against legal delay tactics, reiterating that any defense filings submitted past the court-mandated deadline of April 27, 2026, would be discountenanced.
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”When I make a ruling, my ruling stands,” the judge declared, warning counsel that no fresh applications would be entertained.
With all legal arguments and processes formally adopted by both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to July 6, 2026. The upcoming judgment is poised to be a milestone ruling in Nigeria’s contemporary anti-corruption landscape, testing the legal boundaries of asset recovery against politically exposed persons.
