Court Defers Judgment On EFCC’s Move To Seize 57 Properties Allegedly Linked To Malami

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

ABUJA, NIGERIA – A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) high-profile bid to secure the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who had scheduled judgment for Monday after parties adopted their final written addresses in May, adjourned the ruling to July 10 without providing any reason for the delay.

The EFCC is asking the court to permanently transfer ownership of the properties to the Federal Government, maintaining that they are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities and should be forfeited under existing anti-corruption laws.

EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, maintained that Malami and other respondents failed to prove that the assets were lawfully acquired.

However, Malami’s lawyer, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the application, insisting that the EFCC’s case rests on mere suspicion rather than credible evidence.

Counsel to the respondents challenged the EFCC’s case, arguing that the commission relied heavily on extrajudicial statements instead of credible, admissible evidence to justify the forfeiture request.

The lawyer further contended that several of the disputed properties were acquired before Abubakar Malami assumed office as Attorney General of the Federation, insisting they could not be linked to any alleged proceeds of crime.

Other counsel representing individuals and companies named in the suit also urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application, describing the forfeiture bid as lacking sufficient legal and evidential basis.

The court is now expected to deliver its judgment on July 10, in a ruling that will determine whether the 57 disputed properties are forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to their claimants.