A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the high-stakes case seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed July 6, 2026, to deliver judgment after hearing arguments from both sides on Tuesday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pushing for the properties to be permanently seized by the Federal Government, insisting the defendants failed to justify their ownership.
EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), told the court the matter was set down for hearing of the commission’s application for final forfeiture, along with other pending motions.
But the defence pushed back hard.
Lawyer to the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), revealed that no fewer than 16 motions had been filed to overturn the interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026.
He also asked the court for more time to allow the respondents to properly challenge the forfeiture bid.
According to him, Malami, in a counter affidavit, denied any wrongdoing and argued that the properties in question are not proceeds of crime but are based on mere suspicion.
In response, the EFCC said it had filed a detailed 77-paragraph counter affidavit, backed with multiple exhibits, urging the court to dismiss the defence’s claims and grant the final forfeiture.
The anti-graft agency also asked the court to throw out objections raised by other respondents opposing the proceedings.
After listening to both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter for judgment — setting the stage for a crucial ruling that could determine the fate of the disputed assets.
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