A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed July 10 to deliver judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had earlier scheduled Monday for the judgment after all parties adopted their final written addresses in May. However, the court postponed the ruling to July 10 without giving any explanation for the change in date.
The anti-graft agency is asking the court to order that the properties be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. According to the EFCC, the assets are believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Counsel to the commission, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide convincing evidence that the properties were obtained through legitimate means.
Malami’s legal team, led by Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), opposed the application and urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s request. The defence argued that the commission’s case was built on suspicion rather than credible and admissible evidence.
The lawyer also maintained that some of the disputed properties were acquired before Malami became Attorney-General, insisting they could not be linked to any alleged unlawful activity during his time in office.
Lawyers representing other individuals and companies named in the suit also opposed the forfeiture application. They asked the court to reject the EFCC’s request, arguing that the commission had not established sufficient grounds for the assets to be permanently seized.
The court is now expected to deliver its decision on July 10, with the judgment set to determine whether the 57 properties will remain with their owners or be forfeited to the Federal Government.