Anti-Corruption: Court Forfeits 48 High-Value Properties Tied to Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami

Nigeria’s battle against graft took a dramatic turn yesterday as a Federal High Court in Abuja permanently handed over 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on July 15, 2026, capping a long-running case pursued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC originally targeted 57 assets estimated at more than ₦212 billion. The court ultimately ordered the final forfeiture of 48 of them, valued at roughly ₦180 billion, after finding sufficient grounds to suspect they stemmed from unlawful activities. Nine others were released due to weaker links.

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These properties span prime locations in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi States. They range from luxury residential buildings and hotels to commercial plazas, warehouses, filling stations, and vast land holdings.

Standout Assets Now Belonging to the Government

Among the most prominent forfeited items are:

• The entire Rayhaan University complex in Kebbi State, covering its permanent, temporary, and third sites, along with the Vice Chancellor’s residence and Rayhaan Radio station.
• Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory facilities, including production machinery, staff quarters, and supporting structures.
• Several upscale hotels, such as Meethaq Hotels in Abuja’s Jabi and Maitama districts, and portions of the Zeennoor Hotel setup in Kano.
• Various shopping malls, commercial units, residential estates, and large parcels of land (including 100-hectare stretches along key roads in Kebbi).

Images above show scenes from Rayhaan University, one of the major assets affected.

This was a civil forfeiture proceeding, meaning no criminal conviction was required. The EFCC only needed to raise a reasonable suspicion that the assets were proceeds of crime. Once that threshold was met, the burden shifted to Malami and his co-respondents (family members and associates) to prove the funds came from legitimate sources.

Justice Abdulmalik noted that the respondents offered ownership claims but provided insufficient evidence of lawful income to match the scale of the acquisitions. She stressed that the core question was not “who owns it” but “how was it funded?” - especially given Malami’s modest declared earnings as AGF from 2015 to 2023.

The case timeline started with an interim order in January 2026, followed by public notices, objections, and extended hearings before yesterday’s final verdict.

Malami’s legal team consistently argued that all properties were acquired through lawful business channels and accused the EFCC of relying on speculation and inflated valuations. They viewed the action as potentially politically motivated. While no fresh reaction has surfaced immediately after the ruling, an appeal appears likely.

This outcome ranks among the most substantial asset recoveries involving a former top government official in recent Nigerian history. It demonstrates the potency of non-conviction forfeiture tools in recovering suspected illicit wealth without waiting for lengthy criminal trials.

At the same time, it sparks debate: Are such actions effective deterrents against corruption, or do they risk being weaponized in political rivalries? For many Nigerians, it raises pointed questions about how public servants can accumulate vast real estate empires on official salaries.

The forfeited assets, particularly educational and commercial ones will now fall under federal oversight.

Their future management could either preserve public value or spark new controversies.