A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who had initially scheduled judgment for Monday, July 6, 2026, adjourned the matter to Friday, July 10, 2026, after both parties adopted their final written addresses on May 26.
The EFCC is seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at more than ₦212 billion, located across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna States. The Commission maintains that the assets were acquired through proceeds of official corruption and abuse of office.
At the previous hearing, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the court to grant the application, relying on a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits filed in support of the forfeiture request.
Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the legitimate sources of the properties and asked the court to order their permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.
Opposing the application, Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the suit and set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.
Adedeji, relying on a counter-affidavit sworn to by the former minister, argued that the EFCC’s allegations were based on suspicion rather than credible evidence, insisting that the assets were lawfully acquired during Malami’s time in office under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently fixed July 10, 2026, for judgment in the case.
