Court Shift Judgment on Malami’s 57 Properties Forfeiture Case to July 10

A Federal High Court in Abuja don postpone judgment in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, wey dey preside over the matter, originally fixed July 6, 2026, for judgment after both the EFCC and the defence adopted their final written addresses on May 26.

However, the court has now shifted the judgment to Friday, July 10, 2026.

The EFCC is asking the court to permanently forfeit the properties, valued at over ₦212 billion, to the Federal Government.

According to the anti-graft agency, the properties are located across Abuja, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna States and are suspected to be proceeds of official corruption and abuse of office.

The Commission had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order pending the final determination of the case.

During the last hearing, EFCC counsel, 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 suit.

Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide satisfactory explanations on how the properties were acquired and asked the court to order their permanent forfeiture.

However, counsel to Malami, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), opposed the application and urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s request.

He argued that the former Attorney-General legally acquired the properties during his years in public service under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adedeji also maintained that the EFCC’s allegations were based on suspicion rather than credible evidence, urging the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.

Justice Abdulmalik is now expected to deliver judgment in the matter on July 10, 2026.