A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a landmark order for the interim seizure of 57 high-value properties suspected to be connected to the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN. The assets, with an estimated worth of a staggering N213.2 billion, have been temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Court Order and Suspected Illicit Origins
The ruling was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The judge granted an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho. According to a statement from the EFCC's spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the properties are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States and are believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activities.
In his ruling, 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 further directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving any interested party 14 days to appear before the court to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited. The case has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance.
A Portfolio of Luxury and Commercial Assets
The list of seized properties paints a picture of vast wealth and diverse investments. The portfolio includes luxury residences, hotels, schools, filling stations, warehouses, shopping plazas, commercial shops, factories, and extensive land holdings.
Some of the most notable assets include:
- A luxury duplex on Amazon Street in the highbrow Maitama district of Abuja, initially bought for N500 million in December 2022 but now valued at N5.95 billion after enhancements.
- The former Harmonia Hotels, a two-winged large storey building in Garki, Abuja, purchased in December 2018 for N7 billion.
- Meethaq Hotels located in Jabi and Maitama, Abuja, with a combined value exceeding N21 billion. The Jabi property was bought at carcass level for N850 million in September 2020, with its current value after completion at N8.4 billion. The Maitama branch, purchased for N430 million in February 2018, is now valued at N12.95 billion after rehabilitation.
- Multiple other properties, including a terraced property in Asokoro, Abuja (N360 million), shops in Wuse II's Shariff Plaza (N120 million), a plaza and warehouse facilities along Birnin Kebbi Road (N100 million), and residential buildings in Kaduna and various parts of Abuja.
Ongoing Legal Battle and Broader Implications
This interim forfeiture order is separate from but related to an existing criminal case. Abubakar Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz are already standing trial before the same Justice Nwite over an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering scheme. In that case, Malami was recently granted bail in the sum of N500 million with stringent conditions, including the provision of landed property in elite Abuja areas as sureties and the surrender of his travel documents. The trial on those charges is set to commence on February 17, 2026.
The scale of this asset seizure marks it as one of the most extensive ever linked to a former federal minister in Nigeria. It underscores the EFCC's intensified drive to trace, investigate, and recover wealth suspected to have been acquired through corrupt means. The case will be closely watched as a significant test of the country's anti-corruption institutions in holding powerful figures accountable.
