A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, .
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed July 6, 2026, for judgment after hearing arguments from the EFCC and lawyers representing Malami and other respondents challenging an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), told the court that the matter was slated for hearing on the commission’s application for final forfeiture alongside other pending motions.
Defence counsel, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), however, informed the court that 16 motions had been filed seeking to overturn the interim forfeiture order issued on January 6, 2026.
The anti-graft agency opposed the applications through counter-affidavits, urging the court to dismiss the requests by the defendants.
Some respondents also applied for an extension of time to explain why the listed properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
While arguing the applications, Adedeji maintained that the properties were not proceeds of crime, insisting the allegations against his client were based on suspicion.
According to him, the defence filed a counter-affidavit deposed to by Malami to oppose the EFCC’s request for final forfeiture.
In response, Okutepa argued that the EFCC had presented sufficient evidence to justify the forfeiture request.
He told the court that the commission filed a 77-paragraph affidavit deposed to by EFCC operative Adebayo Daniels, supported by eight exhibits and additional legal submissions, urging the court to reject the respondents’ applications.
The EFCC lawyer further asked the court to dismiss objections raised by other parties challenging the forfeiture proceedings and grant the commission’s request to permanently forfeit the properties to the Federal Government.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until July 6 for judgment.
The case is considered a major development in the EFCC’s ongoing investigation involving the former justice minister.
Earlier in March, operatives of the EFCC reportedly sealed off Malami’s residence in Abuja’s Maitama district as part of an investigation into alleged financial misconduct. Armed officials were said to have barricaded roads leading to the property while restricting access to the area.
