A Federal High Court in Abuja is ordered final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, according to multiple reports. The court’s ruling is delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who grants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) application for forfeiture. Reports state that the judge rules that the EFCC establishes that the assets are proceeds of suspected unlawful activities and that Malami and other respondents fail to show that the properties were acquired through legitimate sources.
Several outlets also describe the procedural background in the lead-up to the final decision. The court had repeatedly adjourned the matter or postponed judgment, including on grounds that the trial judge did not sit. In earlier stages, the judge also dismissed some motions filed by Malami, family members, and companies connected to the properties, and addressed interim forfeiture requests covering additional assets.
While the final order covers 48 properties, reporting indicates that EFCC had sought forfeiture of more assets beyond the 48 ultimately forfeited, and at least some other properties were not ordered forfeited in the same ruling.
