Court orders forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami and sons

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation  Abubakar Malami and two of his sons,  Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru—Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Wednesday,  January 7, following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho.

The multi-billion naira landed properties , valued at N213,234,120,000 are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States. The judge directed the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily “inviting any person(s) or body (ies) who may have interest in the properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of the publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties, should not be made.”

He, therefore, adjourned the matter until January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance.

Some of the forfeited properties:

Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, which was purchased in December 2022 at N500, 000, 000.00 (value after enhancement at N5,950,000,000).

Two Winged Large Storey Building Situate at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11,Garki, (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, which was purchased Dec. 2018 at N7,000,000,000.

Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Comprising of a five storey Building (Now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi with 53 rooms/suites), which was purchased in Sept. 2020 at carcass level at N850,000,000 with additional N300,000,000 to take possession (value after completion N8,400,000,000).

Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, Comprising Terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000.

Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja(Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama With 15 ROOMS), which was purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation is N12,950,000,000).

Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent) Asokoro District, which was purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000.

Shop No. C82 Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Plot 739 Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse Il, FCT, Abuja, which was purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000.

No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, which was purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000.

Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa, GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019 with no specific amount stated.

A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundering, Warehouse Tanks Adjacent

100 Hectares Of Land Along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road, which was purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000.

Four Bedroom Bungalow Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, which was purchased in 2023 at N101,000, 000.

Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja, which was purchased in July 2023 at N158,000,000.