The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured an interim forfeiture order for 57 multi-billion naira landed properties linked to Abubakar Malami, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation. These properties, valued at N213,234,120,000, are situated in various parts of Nigeria, including Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States. Investigations further linked some of these assets to Malami's sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru—Rahman Malami, as well as his wife, Asabe Bashir.

This forfeiture order was granted less than 12 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, granted Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Asabe Bashir, bail bonds of N500 million each with two sureties in like sum. The court had also fixed February 17 for their trial on alleged money laundering charges. The interim forfeiture was issued following an ex-parte motion presented by Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Justice Nwite ruled that the properties described in the schedule were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, ordering their forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Justice Nwite further directed that the interim order of forfeiture be published in a national daily. This publication will invite any person or body with an interest in the listed properties to show cause, within 14 days, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government should not be made. The matter has been adjourned until January 27, 2026, for a report of compliance. Malami, his wife, and son are currently facing a 16-count money laundering charge totaling N8.7 billion.

The charges allege that Malami, between July 2022 and June 2025, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to conceal the unlawful origin of N1,014,848,500 in a Sterling Bank PLC account. He is also accused of using the same company to conceal the unlawful origin of an additional N600,013,460.4 in the same bank account. Furthermore, Malami is alleged to have used a deposited sum as collateral for a N500 million loan to Rahaan Hotels Ltd from the bank in March 2021.

Regarding the bail conditions, Justice Nwite stipulated that the two sureties for each defendant must possess landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa. The documents for these properties are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court, and the sureties are required to depose to an affidavit of means. Malami was also ordered to deposit his travelling documents with the court and is prohibited from traveling outside the country without explicit court permission. Both Malami and his sureties must deposit their two most recent passport photographs with the court. Pending the perfection of these bail conditions, Justice Nwite ordered Malami to be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kuje, FCT.

The extensive list of forfeited properties includes Rayhaan University Buildings, Agro allied factory buildings, machinery, hotels, a pharmacy, supermarket, primary and secondary schools, oil and gas filling stations, shops, and various other structures. Specific properties cited include a Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Maitama, purchased at N500,000,000 and valued at N5,950,000,000 after enhancement; a Two-Winged Large Storey Building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), purchased in December 2018 at N7,000,000,000. Another is Plot 683, Jabi District, comprising a five-storey Building (now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi with 53 rooms/suites), purchased in September 2020 at carcass level for N850,000,000 with an additional N300,000,000 to take possession, valued at N8,400,000,000 after completion. Also listed are Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District (comprising Terraces), purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000, and Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama with 15 rooms), purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000, with a current value of N12,950,000,000 after rehabilitation. Other notable properties include a 100 Hectares of Land along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road purchased in 2020 for N100,000,000, and Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, acquired between February and May 2017 for N250,000,000, among many others across the mentioned states.