The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its anti-corruption efforts, notably by tracing 41 properties allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. These properties, located across Kebbi, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are collectively valued at an staggering N212,892,750,000. This development comes as the federal government has also filed a formidable 16-count charge bordering on money laundering against Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, accusing them of committing offenses contrary to Sections 15, 18, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The detailed list of properties allegedly traced to Malami reveals a vast portfolio of assets. In Kebbi State, the properties are valued at N162,195,950,000.00 and include significant educational institutions and commercial ventures. These comprise the Rayhaan University Permanent Site (N56,000,000,000.00), Temporary Site (N37,800,000,000.00), and a Third Site (N2,450,000,000.00), along with its Vice Chancellor House (N490,000,000.00). Other educational assets include Rayhaan Model Academy (N11,200,000,000.00) and Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School (N8,750,000,000.00). Commercial holdings in Kebbi feature Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory & Commercial Factory Buildings (N4,200,000,000.00), Factory Machines and Plants Units (N10,500,000,000.00), a Factory Mosque (N2,450,000,000.00), and Rayhaan Mill Staff Quarters (N1,487,500,000.00). The list also includes Rayhaan Bustan Building (N3,150,000,000.00), Printing Press (N1,050,000,000.00), Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage (N2,450,000,000.00), Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd Structure (N1,050,000,000.00), and Rayhaan Radio (N78,750,000.00). The 'Azbir Brand' properties in Kebbi consist of Azbir Hotel (N10,325,000,000.00), Gallery (N581,000,000.00), Gardens (N392,000,000.00), Mosque (N252,000,000.00), Azbir Clothing (N350,000,000.00), and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket (N175,000,000.00). Residential and foundational properties in Kebbi include Malami House GRA (N350,000,000.00), Malami House Behind Mobil (N490,000,000.00), Malami Residence Behind Cemetery (N350,000,000.00), houses for his sons Abdulaziz (N1,659,000,000.00) and Ahbiru (N2,989,000,000.00), Malami Support Organization Building ADC (N210,000,000.00), Kadi Malami Foundation Building (N56,000,000.00), Rayhaan Security House (N245,700,000.00), and an Uncompleted 3 Storey Complex (N665,000,000.00).

In Kano State, the properties are valued at N16,011,800,000.00, including Zeennoor Hotel (N11,200,000,000.00), Zeennoor Mosque (N84,000,000.00), Zeennoor Old Hotel Building (N280,000,000.00), Rayhaan Hotel Kano (N2,240,000,000.00), Rayhaan Gym Kano (N1,225,000,000.00), and a wife’s house on Ahmadu Bello Way (N982,800,000.00). The FCT Abuja properties sum up to N34,685,000,000.00 and comprise a Duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama (N5,950,000,000.00), Meethaq Hotel Jabi Branch (N8,400,000,000.00), Meethaq Hotel Maitama Branch (N12,950,000,000.00), 42 Units of Bungalow at Efab Estate (N385,000,000.00), and Harmonia Hotels, Area 11 Garki (N7,000,000,000.00). The sheer scale and diversity of these alleged assets underscore the gravity of the accusations.

The 16 criminal counts filed against Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, detail allegations of money laundering, conspiracy, and unlawful acquisition of assets. Prosecutors contend that Malami, while serving as Nigeria’s chief law officer, allegedly used corporate fronts and proxies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, and Meethaq Hotels Limited to conceal, retain, disguise, and convert illicit funds. These alleged illicit financial transactions span nearly a decade, from 2015 to 2025, covering his tenure as Attorney-General and beyond. Specific allegations include concealing N1,014,848,500 in a Sterling Bank Plc account via Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited between July 2022 and June 2025, and similarly concealing N600,013,460.40 through the same company between September 2020 and February 2021. Malami and his son are also accused of retaining N600 million as cash collateral in March 2021 to secure a N500 million loan for Rayhaan Hotels Limited, despite allegedly knowing the funds' unlawful origin. Furthermore, N500 million was allegedly disguised in November 2022 for the purchase of a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja. Billions more were allegedly concealed or controlled through Meethaq Hotels Limited's Union Bank account between 2022 and 2025.

Beyond these transactions, the charge sheet meticulously lists several property acquisitions allegedly funded with illicit proceeds. These include N700 million for No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja (November-December 2018); N850 million for Plot 683, Jabi District (September-December 2020); N430 million for No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (February 2018); N210 million for No. 3130, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja (February 2018); and N325 million for No. 1241B Asokoro District (March-June 2021). Another alleged acquisition involves N120 million for a property at No. 27 Efab Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja (November 2015-January 2016). Further charges detail N537 million concealed for properties in BUA Estate, Birnin Kebbi, and Kano, and N415 million concealed for properties including a plaza near Birnin Kebbi Market and 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jeba Road. All these alleged acts are said to violate provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Amidst these serious allegations, the EFCC has firmly dismissed claims of illegally detaining Malami. The anti-graft agency, through its Lead Counsel, Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, clarified that no court order directing Malami's release had been served. Okutepa denounced reports of an alleged ex-parte court order granting Malami bail as misleading and professionally irresponsible. He asserted that an existing order from Justice S.C. Oriji of the FCT High Court No. 2, issued on December 10, 2025, mandated Malami's remand in EFCC custody for 14 days pending investigation, and this order remains valid and unsuperseded. Furthermore, Malami’s legal team had previously filed a fresh bail application before another FCT High Court sitting in Nyanya, which was heard by Justice Babangida Hassan on December 15, 2025. The EFCC successfully demonstrated the lawfulness of Malami's detention, leading to the dismissal of the bail application by Justice Hassan on December 18, 2025. Okutepa expressed shock that Malami's legal team allegedly sought another ex-parte bail order from Justice Bello Kawu without disclosing these subsisting court decisions, labeling such an action as a