A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, reserved ruling on the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the final forfeiture application concerning the properties, as well as other pending applications.
In response, defence counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, drew the court’s attention to 16 motions on notice seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order issued by the court on January 6, 2026.
The EFCC opposed the motions with counter-affidavits, urging the court to discountenance the requests by the defendant. Some of the applications filed by the defendant sought an extension of time to show cause why the properties listed in the schedule should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Arguing the applications, Adedeji submitted:
“My Lord, we filed an application dated April 21, 2026, for an extension of time and a counter-affidavit to oppose the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture, which was deposed to by Abubakar Malami, urging the honourable court to refuse and dismiss the order for final forfeiture, as the properties are not proceeds of crime but merely allegations founded on suspicion.”
Responding, Okutepa said:
“My Lord, we also filed a 77-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adebayo Daniels, an EFCC operative, on May 5, 2026, accompanied by eight exhibits and a written address, in addition to a reply on points of law. We rely on all these processes in urging My Lord to hold that their application has woefully failed to show cause, and we ask Your Lordship to grant the request as prayed and order the forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.”
He further urged the court to discountenance the requests of other respondents opposing the forfeiture applications.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to July 2, 2026 for judgment.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
May 26, 2026
