The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed that 57 properties valued at about ₦213.2 billion be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.
The order followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive after considering an ex parte motion moved by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
The properties, which are currently under investigation, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly connected to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The properties are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
Although the ruling was delivered on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) sighted a certified true copy of the order on Wednesday.
In delivering his decision, Justice Nwite stated:
“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 judge also ordered that the interim forfeiture be published in a national daily newspaper.
He directed that any individual or organisation claiming an interest in the listed properties should, within 14 days of publication, show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be granted.
The case was adjourned to a later date for the court to receive a report on compliance with the publication directive.
The properties listed in the court order include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja, bought in December 2022 for ₦500 million and later valued at about ₦5.95 billion after upgrades.
Also listed is a two-winged storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited, purchased in December 2018 for ₦7 billion.
Another property is Plot 683 in Jabi District, Abuja, consisting of a five-storey building now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms, acquired in September 2020 at carcass stage for ₦850 million, with an additional ₦300 million paid to secure possession.
Property No. 3130 in Asokoro District, Abuja, comprising terrace buildings, was purchased in January 2021 for ₦360 million.
A property at No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, currently operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 15 rooms, was bought in February 2018 for ₦430 million and later valued at about ₦12.95 billion after renovation.
Also included is Plot No. 1241B in Asokoro District, Abuja, acquired in July 2021 for ₦325 million.
The list further includes Shop No. C82 at Citiscape–Shariff Plaza on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 for ₦120 million.
A residential property at No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, was acquired in December 2022 for ₦300 million.
Plot 157 on Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, was purchased in July 2019.
A plaza with commercial facilities near Birnin Kebbi Market was bought in 2021 for ₦100 million.
One hundred hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road were acquired in 2020 for ₦100 million.
A four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, was purchased in 2023 for ₦101 million.
Other properties include Shops A36 and B3 at Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, bought in July 2023 for ₦158 million.
A property at No. 26 Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, was purchased in 2022 for ₦136 million.
Another property at No. 27 EFAB Estates Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, was acquired in January 2016 for ₦120 million.
A four-bedroom bungalow with boys’ quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, was bought in January 2018 for ₦40 million.
Plot No. 13 at IPENT 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, was purchased in June 2018 for ₦85 million.
A bedroom duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Wuse II, Abuja, was acquired in October 2018 for ₦150 million.
Two warehouse shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, were purchased in July 2020 for ₦50 million.
Twin houses at Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja, were acquired between February and May 2017 for ₦250 million.
Also listed are properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi.
These include nine three-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom bungalows and 5.4 hectares of land, purchased between February and September 2023 for ₦187 million.
Additional assets were included in the schedule attached to the court order.
Mr Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, are currently facing trial before Justice Nwite over an alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering case filed by the EFCC.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, lists the former minister, his wife, his son and an employee of a company linked to him as defendants.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants engaged in suspicious financial transactions and attempted to disguise the source of funds through bank accounts and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi between 2015 and 2025.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case is still pending before the court.
The interim forfeiture order does not constitute a final decision on ownership or guilt, as all parties retain the right to present their defence.
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