The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until July 10, 2026, judgment in the final forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/yemi.jpg")
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik shifted the judgment on Monday after the matter, which was earlier fixed for judgment, could not proceed.
The court had earlier reserved judgment after lawyers representing the EFCC, Malami and other respondents adopted their processes and argued for and against the application for final forfeiture.
The EFCC is seeking an order of final forfeiture of the 57 properties to the Federal Government on the ground that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
At the last sitting, counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the court to grant the commission’s application.
Okutepa told the court that the motion for final forfeiture, filed in February, was supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits.
He argued that Malami and the other respondents had failed to show sufficient cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC lawyer urged the court to hold that the respondents had not established that the assets were acquired legitimately.
He therefore asked the court to grant the final forfeiture order as prayed.
However, counsel to Malami and the other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, opposed the application.
Adedeji told the court that Malami filed a 109-paragraph affidavit to show cause why the final forfeiture order should not be granted.
He urged the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier made in the matter, arguing that the properties were not proceeds of crime.
The defence maintained that the EFCC’s application was based on suspicion and not credible evidence capable of supporting a permanent forfeiture order.
The matter is part of ongoing legal proceedings involving assets allegedly linked to the former AGF, his family members and associates.
TNL had earlier reported that the court fixed July 6 for judgment after the parties adopted their written addresses in the final forfeiture application.
However, when the matter came up on Monday, the court shifted judgment to July 10.
Reports said the case was listed on the court’s cause list, but the judgment was not delivered.
No specific reason was given for the adjournment.
The forfeiture proceedings followed an earlier interim order of the Federal High Court directing the temporary forfeiture of the 57 properties suspected by the EFCC to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The interim order had also directed interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The properties are said to be located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has denied wrongdoing and opposed the forfeiture application.
He has maintained that the properties were not acquired from proceeds of crime.
The EFCC, on the other hand, insists that the respondents have not provided sufficient explanation to defeat the application for final forfeiture.
The July 10 judgment is expected to determine whether the interim forfeiture order will be made final or discharged.
If the court grants the EFCC’s application, the 57 properties will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
If the court upholds Malami’s objection, the interim order may be set aside and the assets released from the forfeiture proceedings.
The case will now continue on July 10, 2026, when the court is expected to deliver its decision.
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.”
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
