The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said the order was granted on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who ruled that the EFCC had established that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired from legitimate sources of income.

Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice Chancellor’s residence, and Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.

Other properties forfeited include several luxury buildings and hotels in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi States, including Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, Harmonia Hotels in Garki, commercial plazas, residential estates, warehouses, filling stations, and extensive parcels of land.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory in Kebbi State, including its buildings, machinery, staff quarters, mosque and plant units. Assets at Azbir Arena, including Azbir Hotel, Printing Press, Gallery, Gardens, Mosque, Azbir Clothing, and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket, were equally forfeited.

Additional assets affected by the order include the Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage, Rayhaan Security House, an unfinished two-storey plaza in Birnin Kebbi, Amasdul Oil and Gas filling station structure, as well as Zeennoor Hotel, Zeennoor Mosque and the old Zeennoor Hotel building in Kano.

The case began on January 6, 2026, when Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte application filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

Following the order, the EFCC published notices in national newspapers inviting interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Malami and 14 other respondents, mainly family members and associates, subsequently challenged the interim forfeiture, questioned the court’s jurisdiction and urged it to reject the EFCC’s request for permanent forfeiture.

After hearing arguments on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment before delivering her ruling on Wednesday.

In her judgment, the court held that the EFCC had sufficiently established that the 48 properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and that the respondents failed to prove otherwise.

The judge ruled that the respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden required of them because they could not establish the legitimate sources of the funds used to acquire the properties.

The court further held that the respondents merely claimed ownership of the assets without presenting evidence showing they were purchased with funds from lawful sources.

According to the court, non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings require respondents to provide evidence of the lawful sources of funds used to acquire disputed assets rather than relying on bare claims of ownership. (Vanguard, but headline reworked)

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