EFCC Seeks Final Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Malami

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its legal battle to secure the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

At a sitting of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the anti-graft agency argued that the assets are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a motion on notice filed before the court, the EFCC maintained that those listed as respondents in the suit failed to provide sufficient justification to overturn an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court. Among the respondents are the former minister, his son Abdulaziz, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, alongside several companies allegedly linked to the properties.

The commission emphasized that the application falls under a non-conviction-based forfeiture process, noting that the law empowers the court to order final forfeiture where assets are reasonably believed to have been acquired through illicit means.

According to the EFCC, following the interim forfeiture order and its publication in a national newspaper on January 9, no adequate cause was shown by any interested party as to why the properties should not be permanently seized.

The agency further revealed that its investigation was triggered by multiple petitions alleging corruption, abuse of office, and fraud against the former minister during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.

Investigators reportedly obtained financial records from commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, while also working with agencies including the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Abuja Geographical Information System. The probe also extended to land registries in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano states.

In a sworn affidavit presented before the court, the EFCC outlined Malami’s legitimate earnings while in office, arguing that they were not commensurate with the scale of assets traced to him.

The commission is therefore urging the court to grant a final order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government, as proceedings in the case continue.

Reporting for Orbit News 24.