Court reserves judgment on final forfeiture of Malami’s 57 properties

‎A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

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‎Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed July 6, 2026 for judgment after hearing arguments from counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the defence on Tuesday.

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‎At the proceedings, EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, told the court that the matter was slated for the hearing of the commission’s application for final forfeiture of the properties as well as other pending applications before the court.

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‎Counsel to the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, however informed the court that the defence had filed 16 motions seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court on January 6, 2026.

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‎Adedeji also urged the court to grant an extension of time to enable the respondents show cause why the properties listed by the EFCC should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

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‎“My lord, we filed an application dated April 21, 2026, for extension of time and a counter affidavit opposing the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture,” Adedeji said.

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‎He added that the counter affidavit, deposed to by Malami, urged the court to dismiss the forfeiture request on the grounds that the properties “are not proceeds of crime but allegations based on suspicion.”

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‎In response, Okutepa told the court that the EFCC had filed a 77-paragraph counter affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Adebayo Daniels, alongside eight exhibits and a written address opposing the applications by the respondents.

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‎“My lord, we rely on all these processes in urging the court to hold that the respondents have failed to show cause and to grant the application for forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government,” he said.

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‎The anti-graft agency also asked the court to dismiss objections raised by other respondents challenging the forfeiture proceedings.

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‎Following arguments from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till July 6, 2026 for judgment.

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