COURT ORDERS FINAL FORFEITURE OF 48 PROPERTIES WORTH ₦212BN LINKED TO EX-AGF ABUBAKAR MALAMI

Federal High Court in Abuja dismisses objections by former Attorney-General, family members and companies; assets spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties valued at approximately ₦212 billion and linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to the Federal Government.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the final forfeiture application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), dismissing objections submitted by Malami, members of his family and companies claiming ownership of the affected properties.

In her ruling, the judge held that the central issue before the court was not simply who owned the properties but whether the funds used to acquire them were legitimate.

The ruling represents a significant development in the EFCC’s asset-recovery proceedings involving the former Attorney-General.

The properties are reportedly spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States and include luxury hotels, residential estates, duplexes, commercial plazas, warehouses, educational institutions, industrial facilities and other high-value assets.

According to the property schedule presented in the proceedings, several assets were acquired over a period of years, while some were subsequently developed or enhanced, significantly increasing their reported market values.

### THE 48 PROPERTIES ORDERED FOR FINAL FORFEITURE

The assets listed in the forfeiture proceedings include the following:

### A. Properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and other locations

1\. Luxury Duplex, Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja: Acquired in December 2022 for ₦500 million; reported enhanced value of ₦5.95 billion.

2\. Two-winged storey building, No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja: Formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited; acquired in December 2018 for ₦7 billion.

3\. Plot 683, Jabi District, Abuja: Five-storey building now operating as Meethaq Hotels Ltd, with 53 rooms and suites. Acquired at carcass stage for ₦850 million, with an additional ₦300 million to take possession; reported completed value of ₦8.4 billion.

4\. Property No. 3130, Asokoro District, Abuja: Terrace properties acquired in January 2021 for ₦360 million.

5\. No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja: Meethaq Hotels Limited, with 15 rooms. Acquired in February 2018 for ₦430 million; reported rehabilitated value of ₦12.95 billion.

6\. Plot 1241B, No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja: Acquired in July 2021 for ₦325 million.

7\. Shop C82, Citiscape–Shariff Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja: Acquired in March 2024 for ₦120 million.

8\. No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano: Acquired in December 2022 for ₦300 million.

9\. Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano: Acquired in July 2019; no purchase amount specified.

10\. Plaza, commercial toilets, laundry and warehouse tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market: Valued at ₦100 million.

11\. 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road: Acquired in 2020 for ₦100 million.

12\. Four-bedroom bungalow, Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi: Acquired in 2023 for ₦101 million.

13\. Shops A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja: Acquired in July 2023 for ₦158 million.

14\. No. 26 Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja: Acquired in 2022 for ₦136 million.

15\. No. 27 Efab Estates Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja: Acquired in January 2016 for ₦120 million.

16\. Four-bedroom bungalow and two-room boys’ quarters, No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna: Acquired in January 2018 for ₦40 million.

17\. Plot 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja: Acquired in June 2018 for ₦85 million.

18\. Bedroom duplex and boys’ quarters, No. 12 Yalinga Street, Wuse II, Abuja: Acquired in October 2018 for ₦150 million.

19\. Two warehouse shops, B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja: Acquired in July 2020 for ₦50 million.

20\. Twin houses, Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja: Acquired between February and May 2017 for ₦250 million.

### B. Properties acquired through Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative

The schedule also identifies three assets at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage:

21–23.

* Nine units of three-bedroom bungalows.

* Three units of two-bedroom bungalows.

* 5.4 hectares of land.

The assets were reportedly acquired between February and September 2023 for a combined ₦187 million.

### C. Rayhaan University, Kebbi State

The schedule identifies four assets associated with Rayhaan University:

24\. Permanent university site – ₦56 billion.

25\. Temporary university site – ₦37.8 billion.

26\. Third university site – ₦2.45 billion.

27\. Vice-Chancellor’s property – ₦490 million.

### D. Rayhaan Agro-Allied Factory, Kebbi State

28\. Factory buildings – ₦4.2 billion.

29\. Factory machines and plant units – ₦10.5 billion.

30\. Factory mosque – ₦2.45 billion.

31\. Rayhaan Mill staff quarters – ₦1.4875 billion.

32\. Rayhaan Bustan building – ₦3.15 billion.

### E. Azbir Arena, Kebbi State

33\. Azbir Hotel – ₦10.325 billion.

34\. Printing press – ₦1.05 billion.

35\. Gallery – ₦581 million.

36\. Gardens – ₦392 million.

37\. Mosque – ₦252 million.

38\. Azbir Clothing – ₦350 million.

39\. Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket – ₦175 million.

### F. Other properties in Kebbi State

40\. Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage, opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre, along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi – ₦2.45 billion.

41\. Rayhaan Model Academy – ₦11.2 billion.

42\. Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School – ₦8.75 billion.

43\. Rayhaan Security House, off Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi – ₦245.7 million.

44\. Rayhaan Radio, along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi – ₦78.75 million.

45\. Uncompleted two-storey complex plaza opposite Central Motor Park (Eastern Park), Birnin Kebbi – ₦665 million.

46\. Amasdul Oil and Gas Limited filling station structure along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, near Jambali Automobile Workshop, Birnin Kebbi – ₦1.05 billion.

47\. Malami Support Organization building – ₦210 million.

48\. ADC Kadi Malami Foundation building – ₦56 million.

49\. Abubakar Malami, SAN’s house, GRA – ₦350 million.

50\. Abubakar Malami, SAN’s house behind Mobil – ₦490 million.

51\. Abdulaziz Malami’s residence, identified as the first son’s house, Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi – ₦1.659 billion.

52\. Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami’s residence, identified as the second son’s house, Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi – ₦2.989 billion.

### G. Properties in Kano State

53\. Assets of Zeennoor Hotel, Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano, comprising 131 rooms – ₦11.2 billion.

54\. Zeennoor Mosque, Kabuga Satellite Town, Kano – ₦84 million.

55\. Zeennoor old hotel building – ₦280 million.

56\. Rayhaan Hotel, Plot 27/28, opposite Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Southern Kano, comprising land and a luxury building with more than 50 rooms – ₦2.24 billion.

57\. Rayhaan Gym, a storey building opposite Rayhaan Hotel, Kano – ₦1.225 billion.

### WHAT THE COURT’S DECISION MEANS

The final forfeiture order means that the 48 properties covered by the ruling are to be transferred to the Federal Government, subject to the implementation of the court’s decision.

The judge’s observation that the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire the properties was central to the proceedings is particularly significant.

It places the focus on the financial trail behind the acquisition of high-value assets rather than merely the names appearing on ownership documents.

The EFCC’s successful application marks another major development in Nigeria’s efforts to recover assets suspected of being proceeds of unlawful activities.

### TRACKNEWS ONLINE INVESTIGATIVE OBSERVATION

The scale and diversity of the assets listed in the proceedings raise important questions about the financial transactions, corporate structures and sources of funds associated with their acquisition.

Of particular interest are the extensive investments in hotels, universities, schools, factories, commercial properties and other businesses in Kebbi State.

The inclusion of properties reportedly associated with family members and organisations also makes the case one that deserves continued public scrutiny.

IMPORTANT EDITORIAL NOTE: The supplied schedule identifies 57 assets, while the court reportedly ordered the final forfeiture of 48. The information provided does not separately identify the nine assets excluded from the final order. TrackNews therefore does not present all 57 as finally forfeited.

The reported ₦212 billion figure should also be distinguished from individual historical purchase prices and subsequent enhanced valuations.

TRACKNEWS ONLINE

Investigative Journalism. Accountability. Public Interest.