Court Sets Date For Judgment In EFCC Case Against Malami

According to Ireporter Online, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed Friday, July 10, for judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The matter, which is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, had earlier been scheduled for judgment on Monday after both parties adopted their final written addresses in May. However, the court subsequently adjourned the ruling to July 10 without giving any reason for the shift.

The EFCC is urging the court to permanently forfeit the properties to the Federal Government, insisting they are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. The commission had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order on the assets, which are valued at over ₦212 billion and located across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.

During proceedings, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that Malami and other respondents failed to present sufficient evidence to prove that the properties were legitimately acquired, maintaining that they were derived from alleged official corruption and abuse of office.

However, Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the EFCC’s claims were based on suspicion rather than credible and admissible evidence. He further contended that some of the properties were acquired before Malami assumed office as Attorney-General, insisting they could not be linked to any alleged criminal proceeds. Lawyers representing other respondents also asked the court to reject the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.

The court is expected to deliver its final judgment on July 10, determining whether the disputed properties will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to their owners.

In a related development, Malami also appeared in court last Tuesday in continuation of his ₦8.7 billion money laundering trial. He is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside his son and wife over a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment, and laundering of alleged proceeds of unlawful activities totaling ₦8,713,923,759.49 under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel J.S. Okutepa (SAN) informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of hearing, but the defence had submitted a request for adjournment. The case has since been adjourned to a later date for further proceedings.