A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 10, 2026, for judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had earlier scheduled judgment for Monday, July 6, after both parties adopted their final written addresses and argued the matter on May 26. However, the court adjourned the judgment to Friday, July 10, 2026.
The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order over the 57 properties, valued at more than N212 billion.
According to the Head of Media and Publicity EFCC Dele Oyewale, the assets were located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna States.
The anti-graft agency contended that the properties were proceeds of alleged official corruption and abuse of office while Malami served.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is challenging the forfeiture application, maintaining that the properties were lawfully acquired.
At the last hearing, counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the court to grant the application, relying on a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 documentary exhibits filed in support of the motion.
He argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the legitimate sources of the assets and asked the court to order their permanent forfeiture.
Counsel to Malami and the other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, opposed the application, urging the court to dismiss it and set aside the interim forfeiture order.
He relied on a counter-affidavit sworn to by Malami, arguing that the EFCC’s case was based on suspicion rather than credible evidence.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until July 10, 2026, for judgment.
