Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties worth over N213bn ‘linked’ to Malami

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the properties are valued at N213,234,120,000.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, granted the order on Tuesday after an ex parte application filed by the EFCC, through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.

In the ruling, the judge held that the properties, were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and should be temporarily forfeited to the federal government.

“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 judged ruled.

He also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national daily newspaper, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the assets to appear before the court within 14 days and show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made.

Nwite adjourned the matter to January 27 for a report on compliance with the publication order.

Below are some of the assets listed for interim forfeiture.

A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, acquired in December 2022 for N500 million and later enhanced to an estimated value of N5.95 billion.

A two-winged storey building at Onitsha Crescent, Garki, Abuja — formerly Harmonia Hotels — purchased in December 2018 for N7 billion.

A five-storey building on Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja, now operating as Meethaq Hotels with 53 rooms and suites, bought at carcass level in September 2020 for N850 million, with an additional N300 million paid to take possession. The property was valued at N8.4 billion after completion.

A terrace property at Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja, acquired in January 2021 for N360 million.

A hotel facility at Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja, operating as Meethaq Hotels with 15 rooms, purchased in February 2018 for N430 million and later rehabilitated to a current estimated value of N12.95 billion.

A property on Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District, Abuja, purchased in July 2021 for N325 million.

A commercial shop at Citiscape–Shariff Plaza on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, acquired in March 2024 for N120 million.

A residential property on Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 for N300 million.

A property on Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, acquired in July 2019, with no purchase value stated in the court documents.

A commercial plaza with auxiliary facilities located near Birnin Kebbi Market, Kebbi state, bought in 2021 for N100 million.

A 100-hectare parcel of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, acquired in 2020 for N100 million.

A four-bedroom bungalow in Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for N101 million.

Two commercial shops at Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, acquired in July 2023 for N158 million.

A residential property on Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 for N136 million.

A house on EFAB Estates Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, bought in January 2016 for N120 million.

A four-bedroom bungalow with boys’ quarters at Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, acquired in January 2018 for N40 million.

A plot of land at Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 for N85 million.

A duplex with boys’ quarters on Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, acquired in October 2018 for N150 million.

Two warehouse shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 for N50 million.

Twin residential houses at Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja, acquired between February and May 2017 for N250 million.

Multiple properties acquired under the Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, including nine three-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land, purchased between February and September 2023 for N187 million.

TheCable had earlier published a list of photos of some of the properties seized by the EFCC.

The forfeiture order comes amid an ongoing criminal trial involving Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who are facing charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N8.7 billion before the same court. (The Cable)