Judge Authorizes Takeover of 48 Assets Connected to Malami, Estimated at Billions.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the definitive forfeiture of 48 properties, which include Rayhaan University. Located in Birnin Kebbi, associated with former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.The decision comes in response to a civil forfeiture petition submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-corruption agency demonstrated that the assets were reasonably believed to be the proceeds of illegal activities.Justice Abdulmalik rejected multiple applications and claims of ownership presented by Malami, his relatives, and affiliated companies. The judge highlighted that the matter before the court was not about the ownership of the properties, but rather the legitimacy of the funds utilized to acquire them.The court's ruling was made under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. It concluded that the respondents did not provide evidence that the assets were obtained through lawful means of income.The EFCC had previously obtained an interim forfeiture order in January 2026 for 57 properties valued at ₦212.8 billion. In the final ruling, the court annulled the interim order for some of the assets, confirming the permanent forfeiture of 48 properties.Abubakar Malami, who held the position of Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer from 2015 to 2023 during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, is also facing distinct criminal charges. These charges include a trial for ₦8.7 billion in money laundering and abuse of office involving his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.