The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of more than 40 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ruling that the respondents failed to disprove the commission’s claim that the properties were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
Before delivering the judgment, the court dismissed several applications, motions on notice and show-cause applications filed by Malami, members of his family and companies associated with the properties. Justice Abdulmalik described the applications as lacking merit.
The judge explained that the central issue before the court was not the ownership of the properties but the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire them.
According to the court, the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the assets were purchased with proceeds of unlawful activities, leading to the order for their final forfeiture to the Federal Government.