Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has once again adjourned judgment in the high-stakes forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). The ruling, which was initially scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026, could not proceed because Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, did not sit on the day. The matter has now been rescheduled for July 15, 2026.
This latest adjournment marks another delay in a legal battle that has been ongoing since the court first fixed July 6, 2026, for judgment after both parties adopted their final written addresses and concluded their submissions on the forfeiture application. The case centres on the EFCC's application for the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties, which the anti-graft agency alleges were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
During the last adjourned date, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that Malami and the other respondents had "woefully failed to show cause" that the properties were legitimately acquired. He urged the court to grant the final forfeiture application, which was filed in February 2026 and supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits.
However, counsel to Malami and other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), opposed the application, urging the court not only to set aside the earlier interim forfeiture order but also to hold that the respondents had demonstrated that the properties "were not acquired from proceeds of crime". Adedeji argued that the EFCC merely relied on suspicion to allege that the properties were acquired with proceeds of crime, stating: "The court deals with evidence, not suspicion". He further contended that some of the properties were acquired before Malami assumed public office and could not be linked to unlawful proceeds. The respondents' counsel also challenged the EFCC's reliance on what he described as "extrajudicial evidence," arguing that such materials were more appropriate for criminal trial proceedings where witnesses could be cross-examined.
The EFCC had previously secured an interim forfeiture order for the assets, which are valued at over N213 billion, spread across the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, and Kano states, and include hotels, schools, luxury homes, oil businesses, and radio stations. The properties were initially linked to Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who are also facing an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charge before Justice Nwite. However, in February 2026, Justice Obiora Egwatu stepped down from the case amid the high-stakes legal battle.
The court's eventual decision, now expected on July 15, will determine whether the properties remain subject to government recovery efforts or are released from the forfeiture proceedings. For now, the case remains a focal point of Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts, as the EFCC continues its push to recover assets it alleges were illegally acquired while Malami held the nation's highest legal office.
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