Abuja, April 2, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its legal action against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, seeking permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly acquired through unlawful means. The assets, spanning Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States, include multi-billion naira landed estates and sites for Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
The EFCC filed the motion for final forfeiture at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, arguing that Malami and his associates failed to provide credible proof of lawful ownership. Lawyers Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, presented the motion before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who has scheduled April 21 for the hearing.
The respondents in the case include Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, as well as corporate entities linked to him, including Rayhaan Group companies, Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, and others. EFCC argued that the properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and that the court has powers under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, to forfeit them permanently without a criminal conviction.
Investigating officer Daniel Adebayo, in an affidavit, detailed a comprehensive probe conducted with EFCC approval. Findings revealed a stark discrepancy between Malami’s lawful income and the value of the 57 properties, which run into billions of naira. From 2015 to 2023, Malami’s total earnings, including salary, allowances, and estacodes for official travel, amounted to roughly N355 million. Many of the properties, particularly in Kano and Kebbi States, were developed without official building approvals, and some were acquired indirectly through third-party individuals or corporate fronts, including entities under the Rayhaan Group Ltd.
EFCC’s investigation included reviewing financial records from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), land registries, and tax authorities across multiple states. Investigators also physically inspected the properties and conducted valuations. Multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud during Malami’s tenure prompted the probe.
The legal battle began with an interim forfeiture order issued on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, following an ex-parte motion by EFCC. The order was published in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to contest. The case was later reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who recused himself before it landed with Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Malami and co-respondents have challenged the forfeiture, but EFCC maintains that there is no sufficient cause to block permanent forfeiture.
The 57 properties under scrutiny include estates, hotels, corporate facilities, and university campuses. Analysts say the case underscores the EFCC’s non-conviction-based asset recovery strategy and could set a precedent for reclaiming alleged illicit assets from high-profile public officials. With the April 21 hearing approaching, all eyes are on the Federal High Court to see whether these multi-billion naira properties will finally revert to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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