The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,
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‎The anti-graft agency made this known on Friday in a motion on notice filed by its legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekele Iheanacho (SAN),
‎EFCC told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the respondents failed to place sufficient material before the court to justify setting aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.
‎Arguing the motion, Okutepa stated that the proceeding was a non-conviction-based forfeiture and that the court had the statutory authority to grant the relief sought.
‎Justice Abdulmalik fixed the 21st of April for the hearing of the motion.
‎The case stems from an earlier order of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on the 8th of January, 2026, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, which granted an interim forfeiture of the 57 properties following an ex parte application by the EFCC.
‎The properties, valued at about N213.2bn, were said to be linked to Malami and two of his sons and were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
‎Following the interim order, Malami and other respondents challenged the forfeiture proceedings, urging the court to set aside the order.
Edited by Favour Owonibi.