The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to permanently hand over 57 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government, arguing that the assets are proceeds of unlawful activities.
The motion, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the EFCC’s legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). The application was filed under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
Daily Post Nigeria reports that the 57 multi-billion naira landed properties are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states, and include the temporary and permanent sites of Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Named as respondents in the motion are Malami, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, alongside several companies including Rayhaan Bustan and 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, and Zeenoor Hotels Ltd.
Arguing before the court, lead counsel Okutepa stressed that the proceeding was a non-conviction-based forfeiture and that the court holds statutory authority to grant the relief sought. He reminded the court that an interim forfeiture order had already been made and published in THISDAY Newspaper on January 9, 2026, and that no sufficient cause had been shown why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
AThe EFCC’s case rests heavily on a disproportion argument. According to EFCC investigator Daniel Adebayo’s affidavit as reported by The Eagle Online, Malami earned a total salary of N89,664,000 between 2015 and 2023 while in office, at an average of N962,663.68 per month, plus a severance allowance of N12,158,400 at the end of his tenure. The commission argued this falls far short of what would be needed to legitimately acquire the properties in question.
Adebayo further alleged that no building permits or approvals were obtained for most of the structures erected in Kano and Kebbi states a step the commission described as part of a scheme to disguise the unlawful origin of the funds used to acquire the assets. He also alleged that Malami indirectly acquired some of the assets either in his own name or through third-party individuals and front companies currently under his chairmanship via the Rayhaan Group Ltd.
The EFCC told the court it received multiple petitions against the former minister from various organisations alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud, and that its investigation involved obtaining financial records from banks, the CBN, the Corporate Affairs Commission, FIRS, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and land registries across Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states.
Separately, Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz are currently facing an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charge before Justice Nwite.
Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned the hearing of the forfeiture motion to April 21.
