By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties worth N212 billion linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to the Federal Government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday granted the final forfeiture application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and dismissed all objections filed by Malami, his family members, and some companies claiming ownership of the properties.
The Judge said the objections “lacked merit”. Delivering the ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held: “The issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties.”
The properties span Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States and include: Luxury hotels, duplexes, plazas, warehouses, shopping units, residential estates, universities, schools, and factories. They were acquired over several years and were initially seized through an interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC.48 will now be handed over to the Federal Government.
FULL LIST OF THE 57 PROPERTIES (AS LISTED IN EFCC SCHEDULE)
ABUJA / FCT
Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama; File No: AN enhancement 11352 – Purchased Dec 2022 at N500m (Value after enhancement N5.95bn)
Two-Winged Large Storey Building at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels) – Purchased Dec 2018 at N7bn
Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, 5-storey building (now Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi, 53 rooms/suites) – Purchased Sept 2020 at carcass level at N850m + N300m to take possession (Value after completion N8.4bn)
Property No. 3130, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, comprising terraces – Purchased Jan 2021 at N360m
Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels, Maitama, 15 rooms) – Purchased Feb 2018 at N430m (Current value after rehab N12.95bn)
Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent) – Purchased July 2021 at N325mShop No. C82 Citiscape – Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II – Purchased March 2024 at N120m
Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja – Purchased July 2023 at N158m
No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja – Purchased 2022 at N136m
No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa – Purchased Jan 2016 at N120m
Plot No.13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District – Purchased June 2018 at N85m
Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II – Purchased Oct 2018 at N150m
Two Warehouse Shops B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja – Purchased July 2020 at N50m
Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District – Purchased Feb-May 2017 at N250m
KANO
No.4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano – Purchased Dec 2022 at N300m
Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano – Purchased July 2019 Assets of Zeennoor Hotel at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano, 131 rooms – N11.2bn
Zeennoor Mosque at Kabuga, Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road – N84m
Zeennoor Old Hotel Building – N280m
Rayhaan Hotel, Kano, Plot 27/28 Opp Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Southern Kano (50+ rooms) – N2.24bn
Rayhaan Gym, Kano, Storey Building Opposite Rayhaan Hotel – N1.225bn
KADUNA
Four-Bedroom/2 Rooms Boys Quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna – Purchased Jan 2018 at N40m
KEBBI – BIRNIN KEBBI AND ENVIRONS
A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundering, Warehouse Tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market – N100m
100 Hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road – Purchased 2020 at N100m
Four-Bedroom Bungalow, Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi – Purchased 2023 at N101m
Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi – Nine units 3-bedroom bungalows, three units 2-bedroom bungalows and 5.4 hectares – Purchased Feb-Sept 2023 at N187m
RAYHAAN UNIVERSITY, KEBBI Rayhaan University Permanent Site – N56bn
Rayhaan University Temporary Site – N37.8bn
Rayhaan University Third Site – N2.45bn
Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor’s Lodge – N490m
RAYHAAN AGRO ALLIED FACTORY, KEBBI Factory Buildings – N4.2bn
Factory Machines and Plants Units – N10.5bn
Factory Mosque – N2.45bn
Rayhaan Mill Staff Quarters – N1.487bn
Rayhaan Bustan Building – N3.15bn
AZBIR ARENA, KEBBIAzbir Hotel – N10.325bn
Printing Press – N1.05bn
Gallery – N581m
Gardens – N392m
Mosque – N252m
Azbir Clothing – N350m
Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket – N175m
OTHER PROPERTIES IN KEBBI
Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre, along Sani Abacha Bypass – N2.45bn
Rayhaan Model Academy – N11.2bn
Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School – N8.75bn
Rayhaan Security House, off Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi – N245.7m
Rayhaan Radio along Sani Abacha Bypass – N78.75m
Uncompleted 2-Storey Complex Plaza opposite Central Motor Park (Eastern Park), Birnin Kebbi – N665m
Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd filling station along Sani Abacha Bypass, near Jambali Automobile Workshop – N1.05bn
Malami Support Organization Building – N210m
ADC Kadi Malami Foundation Building – N56m
Abubakar Malami SAN’s House GRA – N350m
Abubakar Malami SAN’s House Behind Mobil – N490m
Abdulaziz Malami (First Son’s House) at Gesse Phase II – N1.659bn
Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami (Second Son’s House) at Gesse Phase II – N2.989bn…
plus 2 more properties that made up the original 57 seized through interim order.
Court ruled 48 to be finally forfeited, 9 returned/excluded.
The 48 properties will now be handed over to the Federal Government of Nigeria following today’s final forfeiture order. EFCC is yet to issue an official statement. Malami’s legal team is expected to appeal.This is the largest single final forfeiture linked to a former AGF in Nigeria’s history.
