Hearing in the report of compliance by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in respect of the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, on Tuesday could not proceed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Justice Emeka Nwite had, on January 6, 2026, ordered an interim forfeiture of the 57 properties allegedly belonging to Malami.
The multi-billion-naira landed properties are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States.
The matter was adjourned until January 27 for a report of compliance following the interim forfeiture order. However, it was not among the 24 cases listed on Tuesday’s cause list.
It was observed that there were lawyers in the courtroom who had filed processes to stop the court from going ahead with the proceedings for final forfeiture of the assets.
When Justice Nwite was about to begin sitting, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, who led the EFCC’s team of lawyers, informed the court that their matter was adjourned for today for the hearing of their report of compliance.
“My lord, we have a matter that was adjourned on record to today but not on the cause list. When I confirmed with the registrar, they said it was a vacation matter,” he said.
Okutepa prayed the court to conclude proceedings on the matter, having been fixed for today.
However, Justice Nwite told the lawyer that it is the court tradition that immediately the vacation ends, all cases fixed for the period would be transferred back to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
According to him, the Chief Judge will reassign the matter substantively to any judge of his choice.
“I think you will have to pursue this administratively so that you can bring this (the case) to his (CJ’s) notice to fast-track the process,” he said.
The judge assured that if the Chief Judge reassigned the case back to his court, the commission would be informed immediately.
Justice Nwite had granted the interim forfeiture order on January 6 following an ex parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
The judge, in the ruling, also directed the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily so that any person(s) or body(ies) who might have an interest in the property could show cause, within 14 days of the publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government should not be made.
List Of Properties
The properties sought to be permanently forfeited include:
Abuja Properties:
- Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Maitama, purchased in December 2022 at N500,000,000 (value after enhancement N5,950,000,000)
- Two-winged large-storey building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), purchased in December 2018 at N7,000,000,000
- Plot 683, Jabi District (now Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi, with 53 rooms/suites), purchased in September 2020 at N850,000,000 (value after completion N8,400,000,000)
- Property No. 3130, Asokoro District, comprising terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000
- Property No. 3, Rhine Street, Maitama (Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Maitama with 15 rooms), purchased in February 2018 for N430,000,000 (current value N12,950,000,000)
- Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000
- Shop No. C82 Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000
- Shops Nos. A36 and B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, purchased in July 2023 at N158,000,000
- No. 26, Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, purchased in 2022 at N136,000,000
- No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, purchased in January 2016 at N120,000,000
- Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, purchased in June 2018 at N85,000,000
- 4-Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, purchased in October 2018 at N150,000,000
- Two Warehouse Shops B40 and B46, Wuse Market, purchased in July 2020 at N50,000,000
- Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, purchased between February and May 2017 at N250,000,000
Kebbi State Properties:
- Rayhaan University Permanent Site valued at N56,000,000,000
- Rayhaan University Temporary Site valued at N37,800,000,000
- Rayhaan University Third Site valued at N2,450,000,000
- Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor House valued at N490,000,000
- Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory including factory buildings (N4,200,000,000), factory machines and plant units (N10,500,000,000), factory mosque (N2,450,000,000), staff quarters (N1,487,500,000), and Rayhaan Bustan building (N3,150,000,000)
- Azbir Arena comprising Azbir Hotel (N10,325,000,000), Printing Press (N1,050,000,000), Gallery (N581,000,000), Gardens (N392,000,000), Mosque (N252,000,000), Azbir Clothing (N350,000,000), and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket (N175,000,000)
- A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundering, and Warehouse Tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market, purchased in 2021 at N100,000,000
- 100 Hectares of Land along Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road, purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000
- 4-Bedroom Bungalow Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 at N101,000,000
Kano Properties:
- No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000
- Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, purchased in July 2019
Kaduna Property:
- 4-Bedroom/2 Rooms Boys Quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, purchased in January 2018 at N40,000,000
In the affidavit attached to the motion ex parte and deposed to by Daniel Adebayo, an investigating officer with the Special Duties Committee of EFCC, he said the commission received several petitions against Malami from different persons alleging cases of corruption, abuse of office and fraud.
The investigator said Malami, who was former AGF between 2015 and 2023, was paid a total of N89,664,000 as salary during his eight years in office, with an average payment of N962,663.68 per month.
“He also received a severance allowance of N12,158,400 at the end of his tenure in office,” he said.
The investigator said Malami also received estacode allowances totalling N253,608,500 for official trips between 2015 and 2023.
Adebayo averred that while standing as a guarantor to a loan availed his private enterprise, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, by Zenith Bank Plc, Malami declared his personal assets before a notary public on September 10, 2020.
“In the declaration, Mr Malami SAN stated that the total value of his assets was N41,000,000, while his net income per month after expenses was N397,000,” the investigator said.
“Mr Malami SAN used his position in office as the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to acquire and disguise funds which are not part of his known lawful sources of income,” Adebayo alleged.
The officer equally listed several companies under the Rayhaan Group Ltd to include Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Atmal Oil and Gas Limited and Rayhaan Communication Limited, among others.
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
