The Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 10, 2026, as the date to deliver judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, fixed the date after the court had earlier deferred its decision.
Both parties adopted their final written addresses and concluded arguments on May 26, but the judgment was adjourned to July 10.
The EFCC is asking the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the 57 properties to the Federal Government. The commission argued that the assets are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the court to grant the application. He cited a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 documentary exhibits, stating that Malami and other respondents failed to satisfactorily explain the legitimate sources of the properties.
Opposing the application, Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, asked the court to dismiss the suit and vacate the interim forfeiture order already granted.
Relying on a counter-affidavit sworn by Malami, Adedeji argued that the EFCC’s case was based on suspicion rather than concrete evidence. “The court deals with evidence, not suspicion,” he told the court.
The defence also contended that the EFCC relied on extra-judicial statements that were not tested through cross-examination, since the court earlier declined to take oral evidence.
Adedeji added that several of the disputed properties were acquired before Malami was appointed AGF and therefore could not be classified as proceeds of crime.
Counsel for other respondents and companies joined in the suit also urged the court to reject the EFCC’s request.
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