Ex-Justice Minister Malami and Sons lose N213bn in assets as court orders interim forfeiture

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order for the forfeiture of 57 high-value properties to the Nigerian government.

The assets, worth approximately N213 billion, are suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful activities connected to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN) and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman Malami.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) ex-parte application on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

The court has mandated the publication of the forfeiture order, requiring any person or entity with an interest in the properties to contest the seizure within 14 days.

The case is adjourned until January 27, 2026, for a compliance report.

Malami, alongside his wife and a son, is already facing separate money laundering charges before the same judge.

The seized portfolio includes a diverse range of luxury real estate and commercial ventures across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States. Notable properties are:

· A luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

· A large two-winged building (formerly Harmonia Hotels) in Garki, Abuja.

· A five-story hotel (Meethaq Hotels Ltd) in Jabi, Abuja.

· High-end residential and commercial properties in Asokoro and Maitama, Abuja.

· A plaza, warehouses, and 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi Road.

· Multiple residential buildings, shops in prime malls, and housing estate units.

The properties, which also include holdings under the “Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative,” were acquired between 2016 and 2024. The interim order represents a major move by anti-graft authorities to reclaim assets allegedly acquired through illicit means.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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