Former Nigerian AGF Malami Loses Properties

A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, has ordered a final forfeiture of 48 properties connected to the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami

On January 16th, 2026, a vacation judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted an interim order of forfeiture over the properties, had directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper for anyone with an interest in the assets to appear before the court and show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Following the publication, Malami, his wife Nana Hadiza Abubakar, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and several companies linked to the properties located at Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi, Malami’s home state filled objection

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave the ruling in the case between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Malami

Justice Abdulmalik gave the EFCC leave to seize the properties after holding that the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities.

Before the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had dismissed several applications, motions on notice, and applications to show cause filed by Malami, his family members, and some companies linked to the properties, tagging them as “wanting in merit”. The judge held that the question before the court was not “who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties.”

The properties include a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Cadastral Zone Abuja, Meethaq Hotels, Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket, Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage, a commercial plaza comprising commercial toilets, laundering facilities, warehouse tanks, Rayhaan Agro Allied factory buildings, etc.

Source: MRA