Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, has filed a request at the Federal High Court in Abuja to overturn an interim order that allowed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to seize 57 of his properties. The properties, which the EFCC claims are linked to unlawful gains, include luxury homes, hotels, commercial buildings, and land in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna. The total value of the assets is estimated at about N213.23 billion.
The EFCC had obtained the interim order on January 6, pending the conclusion of investigations into the source of funds used to acquire the properties. The agency alleges the assets are connected to Malami and two of his sons. Following the court’s directive, the EFCC published the forfeiture order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties 14 days to provide reasons why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
In his application, Malami asked the court to set aside the forfeiture order, but the specific reasons for the request were not made public. The court has yet to schedule a date for hearing the matter. Earlier, the court set January 27 for a compliance report from the EFCC regarding the publication of the forfeiture order.
Meanwhile, Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz are facing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite over allegations of money laundering involving N8.7 billion. The court recently granted Malami bail of N500 million with two sureties. The trial for the 16-count charge is scheduled to begin on February 17.
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