On April 3, 2026, in Abuja, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission asked the Federal High Court to approve the permanent seizure of 57 properties said to be connected to Abubakar Malami and others, arguing that the assets are suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.
The request was presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the commission’s legal team, which told the court that those listed in the case did not provide enough evidence to overturn an earlier temporary forfeiture order.
The suit includes Malami and several individuals and companies believed to be linked to the properties under investigation.
The commission based its application on the law that allows confiscation of assets suspected to be proceeds of fraud, even without a criminal conviction. It stated that the earlier order, which was made public in January 2026, was not successfully challenged within the required time.
In documents filed before the court, an investigating officer explained that the agency carried out checks with several government bodies, including tax authorities, corporate registries, and land offices.
The investigation also involved visiting property locations, reviewing ownership records, and speaking with individuals connected to the assets.
According to the findings presented, Malami’s earnings during his years in public office were reviewed, including salaries, allowances, and other official payments. The agency argued that the value of the properties in question appears far higher than what could be covered by those earnings.
The commission also claimed that some of the assets were acquired through proxies and companies allegedly linked to him, including businesses operating under the Rayhaan group.
It added that some structures in states such as Kano and Kebbi did not have proper approvals, raising further questions about how they were developed.
The properties listed in the application are located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna, including sites linked to a university project in Kebbi State. The case had earlier passed through different judges before being assigned to Justice Abdulmalik.
The court has fixed April 21, 2026, to hear the motion. Meanwhile, Malami and others involved in the case have filed applications asking the court to cancel the initial forfeiture order as the legal process continues.