Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami, has filed an application before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to set aside an interim forfeiture order placed on properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Emeka Nwite had, on January 6, ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC alleged that the assets are linked to Mr. Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami, and placed their combined value at ₦213.23 billion. The anti-graft agency secured the interim order pending the outcome of investigations into the source of funds used to acquire the properties, which it claims were obtained through illicit means.

In his application, Mr. Malami is challenging the forfeiture and urging the court to vacate the order, although the specific grounds for the request have not yet been disclosed. The court has yet to fix a date for the hearing.

Earlier, the court directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to enable any interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited. The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a compliance report.

Among the seized assets is a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, valued at ₦5.95 billion after enhancement. Other properties include two large storey buildings in Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels, valued at ₦7 billion, as well as Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, with combined values exceeding ₦21 billion. Additional assets comprise commercial shops, warehouse facilities, and extensive landholdings across four states.

Listing the properties, the judge stated: “Luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama; File No.: AN enhancement 11352, purchased in December 2022 at ₦500,000,000.00 (value after enhancement at ₦5,950,000,000). Two-winged, large-storey building situated at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, purchased in December 2018 at ₦7,000,000,000.

“Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building (now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Jabi, with 53 rooms and suites), purchased in September 2020 at carcass level at ₦850,000,000, with an additional ₦300,000,000 to take possession (value after completion ₦8,400,000,000). Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, comprising terraces, purchased in January 2021 at ₦360,000,000.

“Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama, with 15 rooms), purchased in February 2018 at ₦430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation ₦12,950,000,000).

“Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), purchased in July 2021 at ₦325,000,000. Shop No. C82, Citiscape–Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, FCT, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 at ₦120,000,000.

“No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 at ₦300,000,000. Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019, with no specific amount stated. A plaza, commercial toilets, laundry, warehouse tanks, and adjacent 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, purchased in 2020 at ₦100,000,000.

“Four-bedroom bungalow, Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 at ₦101,000,000. Shops Nos. A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in July 2023 at ₦158,000,000.

“No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 at ₦136,000,000. No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 59:tm: Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, purchased in January 2016 at ₦120,000,000. Four-bedroom house with two-room boys’ quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 at ₦40,000,000. Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 at ₦85,000,000.

“A bedroom duplex and boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in October 2018 at ₦150,000,000. Two warehouse shops, B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 at ₦50,000,000. Twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, purchased between February and May 2017 at ₦250,000,000. Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage.”

Others include nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land purchased between February and September 2023 at ₦187,000,000, among other assets listed in the schedule.

Mr. Malami, his wife, Mrs. Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abdulaziz, are already facing trial before Justice Nwite over alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering. On Wednesday, the court granted Mr. Malami bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties required to provide landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa. He must deposit his travel documents and passport photographs with the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without permission.

Justice Nwite fixed February 17 for the commencement of trial on the corruption charges, which include a 16-count money laundering charge filed by the EFCC against Mr. Malami, his son, and his wife.

The interim forfeiture represents one of the most extensive asset seizures linked to a former federal minister, underscoring ongoing efforts by the EFCC to recover suspected illicit wealth.