A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled judgment for July 10, 2026, in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application for 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, who had initially set Monday, July 6 for the ruling after parties adopted their final written addresses in May, adjourned the delivery of judgment to July 10 without providing a reason for the shift.
The EFCC is seeking a permanent order to forfeit the properties to the Federal Government, claiming they constitute suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to satisfactorily prove that the assets were acquired through legitimate means.
In response, Malami’s lead counsel, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application. He contended that the case was built on mere suspicion rather than concrete, admissible evidence. Adedeji further noted that several of the properties were acquired before Malami assumed office as AGF, suggesting they could not be linked to any alleged official misconduct.
Lawyers representing other individuals and corporate entities named in the suit also opposed the forfeiture, asking the court to reject the EFCC’s request.
The upcoming judgment on July 10 will determine the fate of the disputed assets, which have been the subject of an ongoing non-conviction-based forfeiture proceeding. The case stems from an earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
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