A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 10 to deliver 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.
The case came up on Monday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after it had earlier been reserved for judgment following the adoption of final written addresses by all parties on May 26.
The EFCC is asking the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government, arguing that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
At the previous hearing, counsel for the anti-graft agency, Jibrin Okutepa, urged the court to grant the application, relying on a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits tendered in support of the motion.
Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the sources of the assets and asked the court to order their final forfeiture.
However, Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, urged the court to dismiss the application and set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.
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Relying on a counter-affidavit sworn to by Malami, Adedeji argued that the EFCC’s case was based on suspicion rather than credible evidence.
“The court deals with evidence, not suspicion,” he told the court.
He further contended that the commission relied on extrajudicial statements that should only be tested through cross-examination during a criminal trial. He added that the court had previously declined to take oral evidence in the matter.
According to the defence, some of the properties were acquired before Malami became Attorney-General of the Federation and therefore could not be regarded as proceeds of crime.
Lawyers representing other respondents and companies joined in urging the court to reject the EFCC’s application.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until July 10 for judgment.
Malami is also facing two separate criminal cases before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges relate to alleged money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.