Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties Linked to Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, Including University and Radio Station

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of University, Radio Station and 46 Other Properties Linked to Former AGF Abubakar Malami

Photo credit: Economic and Financial Crime Commission (facebook)

In one of the most significant asset recovery cases in recent years, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final court order forfeiting 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, marks the conclusion of months of legal proceedings over properties the EFCC alleged were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The decision represents a major development in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to recover assets suspected to have been obtained through illicit means.

Delivering judgment on July 15, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the EFCC had successfully established that the 48 properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. According to the court, the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence demonstrating that the properties were acquired through legitimate sources of income.

The judge held that simply claiming ownership was not enough under Nigeria’s non-conviction-based asset forfeiture laws. Instead, the owners were expected to present credible evidence showing the lawful origin of the funds used to acquire the assets.

Photo credit: Economic and Financial Crime Commission (facebook)

Among the most notable assets ordered forfeited to the Federal Government are: (a) Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent site, temporary site, third campus, and the Vice Chancellor’s residence. (b) Rayhaan Radio located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi. (c) Several luxury hotels in Abuja and Kano. (d) High-value residential buildings in Maitama, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, Wuse II, Jabi, Kaduna, and Kano. (f) Commercial plazas, warehouses, shopping complexes, and filling stations. (e) Hundreds of hectares of land in Kebbi State. (f) Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, including its machinery, buildings, staff quarters, and other facilities. (g) Azbir Arena and its associated hotel, printing press, pharmacy, supermarket, gardens, and other commercial assets. (h) Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, together with its mosque and related facilities.

The forfeiture also extends to several residential developments, warehouses, market shops, and other investment properties spread across different states.

Photo credit: Economic and Financial Crime Commission (facebook)

The legal process began on January 6, 2026, when the Federal High Court granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC. After obtaining the interim order, the commission published notices in national newspapers, inviting anyone with an interest in the affected properties to appear before the court and explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

In response, Abubakar Malami and 14 other individuals, including family members and associates, challenged both the interim forfeiture order and the court’s jurisdiction. They argued against the permanent confiscation of the properties and sought to have the interim order set aside. Following extensive legal arguments, the matter was heard and later reserved for judgment.

Photo credit: Economic and Financial Crime Commission (facebook)

In its ruling, the court emphasized that non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings focus primarily on whether property can be shown to have been lawfully acquired. Justice Abdulmalik held that the respondents did not discharge the legal burden placed upon them because they failed to provide convincing evidence explaining the legitimate sources of the funds allegedly used to acquire the numerous assets. The court therefore granted the EFCC’s request for final forfeiture in favour of the Federal Government.

The judgment is being viewed as one of the largest single asset forfeiture rulings involving a former senior public official in Nigeria.

Anti-corruption advocates argue that the decision reinforces the principle that individuals whose assets are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities may be required to account for the legitimate origin of those assets in accordance with the law.

At the same time, legal analysts note that non-conviction-based forfeiture remains a subject of legal debate and has been challenged in several courts over questions relating to due process and constitutional rights.

With the final forfeiture order now in place, ownership of the affected properties transfers to the Federal Government, subject to any further legal steps that may be available to the affected parties. It remains to be seen whether appeals will be filed to challenge the judgment in higher courts.

The EFCC has described the ruling as another milestone in its campaign against corruption and illicit asset acquisition.

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The Federal High Court’s decision to permanently forfeit 48 properties, including a university, a radio station, hotels, factories, commercial buildings, and vast parcels of land allegedly linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, represents a landmark moment in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.

While the judgment strengthens the EFCC’s asset recovery campaign, the case also highlights the continuing importance of transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process in the fight against corruption.