EFCC Moves To Take Over Abubakar Malami-Linked Properties

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court ordered the permanent forfeiture of the assets after ruling that Malami and other claimants failed to provide sufficient evidence proving that the properties were acquired through legitimate sources.

The forfeited assets, valued at approximately ₦180.4 billion, include hotels, residential buildings, shopping centres, corporate entities and a university spread across Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Birnin Kebbi states.

The EFCC had earlier initiated forfeiture proceedings involving 57 properties estimated at over ₦212 billion, alleging that they were acquired through proceeds linked to unlawful activities during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General between 2015 and 2023.

However, the court excluded nine properties from the final forfeiture order after determining that the anti-graft agency did not provide enough evidence to establish that they were illegally acquired.

Malami and 14 other claimants, including members of his family and several companies, had challenged the interim forfeiture order, maintaining that the assets were obtained through legitimate means.

Following the court’s decision, the EFCC said it had begun a gradual takeover of the affected properties. The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that officials had already secured the property located at No. 9 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, and warned that any forfeited asset still being occupied without approval was being used illegally.

A visit to one of the affected properties, Zeenoor Hotels Limited in Kano, showed that the facility was still operating, with guests accessing the premises despite the forfeiture order. Staff members declined to provide detailed comments, stating only that the hotel remained operational.

Security personnel at the facility disclosed that they had been informed about the Federal Government’s planned takeover following the court judgment.

At the residential property on Ahmadu Bello Way, located close to the Kano Government House, security officers were seen stationed at the premises, which was reportedly abandoned after the forfeiture order.

The EFCC stated that it would continue the recovery process and take control of all remaining properties covered by the court’s judgment.