The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 6, 2026, for judgment in a forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing both the EFCC and the respondents adopted their written addresses and presented final arguments in court.
The anti-graft agency is seeking the final forfeiture of the properties on the grounds that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), told the court that the application was supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits contained across multiple volumes.
He urged the court to grant the forfeiture request, arguing that the respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence that the properties were legitimately acquired.
According to him, the assets should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
However, counsel to Malami and other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, opposed the application and asked the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.
He argued that the EFCC relied on suspicion rather than concrete evidence linking the properties to criminal proceeds.
“The court deals with evidence, not suspicion,” he told the court, urging it to dismiss the application.
The defence also contended that some of the properties were acquired before Malami assumed office as Attorney-General, insisting they could not be proceeds of crime.
The forfeiture case is connected to an ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving Malami, his wife Asabe Rakiya Bashir, and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.
Earlier proceedings included testimony from compliance officers of two commercial banks, who presented financial documents and statements as evidence for the prosecution.
The defendants were previously arraigned on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, concealment, and laundering of funds totaling ₦8.71 billion.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to July 6, 2026, for judgment after hearing all submissions.
