Court postpones decision on final forfeiture of Malami’s 57 properties

A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in a suit that seeks the final forfeiture of 57 properties alleged to be connected to former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik scheduled the judgment for July 6, 2026 after hearing arguments from counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defense on Tuesday.

EFCC counsel J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the case 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.

Defence counsel Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, reported that the defence had filed 16 motions seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order previously granted by the court on January 6, 2026.

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

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

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.”

In reply, Okutepa said the EFCC had filed a 77‑paragraph counter affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Adebayo Daniels, together with eight exhibits and a written address opposing the respondents’ applications.

“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.

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

After hearing both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026 for judgment.