TDA Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in the suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed July 6, 2026, for judgment after listening to arguments from counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and lawyers acting on behalf of the former minister and other respondents.
The anti-graft agency is seeking a final order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government, following an interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court on January 6, 2026.
EFCC Seeks Interim Forfeiture Order
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the EFCC, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing of the substantive application for final forfeiture, alongside other pending motions connected to the case.
In response, defence counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, drew the attention of the court to about 16 Motions on Notice filed by the respondents seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted against the properties.
According to the defence, several of the applications also sought extension of time within which the respondents could show cause why the properties listed by the EFCC should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Arguing the applications, Adedeji told the court that the respondents had filed a motion dated April 21, 2026, accompanied by a counter-affidavit deposed to by Abubakar Malami.
He maintained that the properties in question were not proceeds of crime and argued that the allegations by the EFCC were based largely on suspicion rather than concrete evidence.
“My Lord, we filed an application for extension of time and a counter-affidavit opposing the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture.
“The affidavit, deposed to by Abubakar Malami, urges this honourable court to refuse and dismiss the application because the properties are not proceeds of crime,” Adedeji submitted.
Legal Fireworks on Malami’s Properties
The defence further urged the court to vacate the interim forfeiture order and dismiss the EFCC’s application in its entirety.
However, EFCC counsel, Okutepa, opposed the applications and urged the court to reject the respondents’ arguments.
He disclosed that the commission had filed a 77-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, Adebayo Daniels, on May 5, 2026.
According to him, the affidavit was supported by eight exhibits and accompanied by a written address as well as additional replies on points of law.
Okutepa argued that the respondents had failed to provide sufficient justification to prevent the forfeiture of the properties.
“My Lord, we urge the court to hold that the respondents have woefully failed to show cause why the properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government,” he argued.
He further asked the court to dismiss all applications challenging the forfeiture proceedings and grant the EFCC’s request for final forfeiture.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, for judgment.
The case is one of several high-profile anti-corruption proceedings involving former public officials currently before Nigerian courts.
