Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government.
The order was granted on Wednesday, January 7, following an ex-parte motion filed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho. The properties, valued at N213,234,120,000, are located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States.
The judge directed that the interim order of forfeiture be published in any national daily, inviting any person or body with interest in the listed properties to show cause within 14 days of publication why a final forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government. The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance.
Some of the forfeited properties include:
- A luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased in December 2022 for N500,000,000, with a current value of N5,950,000,000.
- A two-winged large storey building at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), purchased in December 2018 for N7,000,000,000.
- Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building now operating as Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd with 53 rooms/suites, purchased in September 2020 at carcass level for N850,000,000, with an additional N300,000,000 for completion, valued at N8,400,000,000.
- Property No. 3130, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja, comprising terraces, purchased in January 2021 for N360,000,000.
- Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Maitama, 15 rooms), purchased in February 2018 for N430,000,000, currently valued at N12,950,000,000.
- Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone, No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent, purchased in July 2021 for N325,000,000.
- Shop No. C82, Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 for N120,000,000.
- No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 for N300,000,000.
- Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019 (amount not specified).
- A plaza including commercial toilets, laundering, and warehouse tanks adjacent.
- 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, purchased in 2020 for N100,000,000.
- Four-bedroom bungalow in Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for N101,000,000.
- Shops Nos. A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in July 2023 for N158,000,000.
The court’s interim forfeiture order marks a significant move in the ongoing EFCC investigation into assets allegedly acquired through unlawful activities by the Malami family.
