Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has filed a 40‑page affidavit before the Federal High Court to block the final forfeiture of more than 50 properties linked to him, his family, and 14 companies.
The move followed Justice Emeka Nwite’s interim forfeiture order on January 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, which temporarily handed the EFCC control of houses, hotels, schools, factories, and plots of land across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.
The commission had argued the assets were “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.” Malami’s sworn response insisted otherwise. “There is no prima facie evidence,” the affidavit read.
Malami laid out ₦15.5 billion in what he described as lawful income earned between 2015 and 2023.
This included ₦374.6 million in salary and allowances as AGF, ₦10.01 billion in business turnover, ₦3.52 billion in bank loans, ₦958 million in wedding gifts, and ₦509.8 million from two book launches.
Companies named in the affidavit included Rayhaan Hotels, Zeennoor Hotels, Meethaq Hotels, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied, Azbir Arena, and Rayhaan University.
He accused EFCC of inflating property values to “mislead the court.” A Maitama duplex valued at ₦5.95 billion by EFCC was bought for ₦500 million, he said.
Rayhaan University’s permanent site, pegged at ₦56 billion, had receipts showing ₦150 million, backed by an independent valuation from Jide Taiwo & Co.
Malami tendered four Code of Conduct Bureau asset declaration forms from 2015, 2019, and 2023, arguing the disputed properties were already on record before the case began.
He added that six assets, including Rayhaan Hotel in Kano, were acquired between 2006 and 2013, before he became minister.
Allegations Of Eviction And Business Fallout
The affidavit also alleged that armed EFCC operatives evicted his family from six Abuja homes on March 24, 2026, without a final forfeiture order.
“My wives and children, who are minors, were chased out,” he stated, adding that title documents were seized during his 25‑day detention in December 2025.
He said the interim order had already impacted his businesses. NEXIM Bank recalled a ₦1.122 billion loan to Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied days after the ruling, while Zenith Bank began charging daily interest on the balance.
Malami argued that the forfeiture leaned on Charge No. FHC/CR/700/2025, where he had pleaded not guilty. “Allegations are being contested and not determined,” he wrote.
On four Abuja properties tied to businessman Abdulrahman Musa Bashir, Malami said they stemmed from pre‑2015 legal and business deals.
Another property, he claimed, belonged to his late father’s estate and was held in trust for heirs.
The court had directed any interested party to “show cause” why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. “I have fully accounted for ownership and lawful source of funds,” Malami’s affidavit concluded.
Justice Nwite is expected to set a hearing date to decide whether to lift the interim order or make it final. For now, the hotels, schools, and mansions remain in EFCC custody.
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