The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at ₦213.23 billion, allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Mr. Abdulaziz Malami and Mr. Abiru-Rahman Malami.

The properties, which are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States, and are to be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte application filed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

In granting the application, Justice Nwite held: “It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The court further directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national daily, inviting any individual or body with an interest in the properties to show cause, within 14 days of publication, why a final forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance.

Mr. Malami, his wife, Mrs. Bashir Asabe, and his son, Mr. Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently facing an alleged ₦8.7 billion money-laundering charge before the same court.

The properties listed include Rayhaan University buildings; agro-allied factory buildings, machinery, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, primary and secondary schools, oil and gas filling stations, shops, and other commercial and residential buildings.

Among them is a luxury duplex located at Amazon Street, Plot 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, File No. AN Enhancement 11352, purchased in December 2022 for ₦500 million, with an enhanced value of ₦5.95 billion. Another is a two-winged, multi-storey building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone A03, Abuja—formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited—purchased in December 2018 for ₦7 billion.

Also listed is Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Jabi, with 53 rooms and suites. The property was acquired at carcass level in September 2020 for ₦850 million, with an additional ₦300 million paid to take possession, bringing its current value after completion to ₦8.4 billion.

Other properties include Property No. 3130, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, comprising terrace buildings purchased in January 2021 for ₦360 million; Property No. 3, Rhine Street, Maitama, operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Maitama, purchased in February 2018 for ₦430 million, with a current value of ₦12.95 billion after rehabilitation; and Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District, also known as No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent, purchased in July 2021 for ₦325 million.

Further listed is Shop No. C82, Citiscape, Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 for ₦120 million.

In Kano State, the properties include No. 4, Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, purchased in December 2022 for ₦300 million, and Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, purchased in July 2019, with no purchase price stated.

In Kebbi State, the assets include 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, acquired in 2020 for ₦100 million, a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for ₦101 million, and additional commercial assets comprising plazas, commercial toilets, laundry facilities, and warehouse tanks.

Other listed properties include shops Nos. A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, purchased in July 2023 for ₦158 million; No. 26, Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, acquired in 2022 for ₦136 million; No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 59 Crescent, Gwarimpa, purchased in January 2016 for ₦120 million; and a four-bedroom house with boys’ quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, acquired in January 2018 for ₦40 million.

Additional assets include Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 for ₦85 million; a bedroom duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12, Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, purchased in October 2018 for ₦150 million; two warehouse shops, B40 and B46, Wuse Market, purchased in July 2020 for ₦50 million; and twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, acquired between February and May 2017 for ₦250 million.

The list further includes properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, comprising nine three-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land, purchased between February and September 2023 for ₦187 million, among other assets detailed in the schedule.