A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has scheduled Friday, July 10, to deliver judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The judgment had initially been scheduled for Monday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, following the adoption of final written addresses by all parties in May. The court, however, shifted the date to July 10 without giving a reason for the adjournment.
The EFCC wants the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government, insisting they represent suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. Counsel to the commission, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), argued that Malami and other respondents could not provide sufficient evidence proving the properties were lawfully acquired.
But Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), pushed back, urging the court to throw out the suit. He contended that the EFCC’s case rested on suspicion rather than credible, admissible evidence, and that the commission leaned heavily on extrajudicial statements. Adedeji also argued that several of the properties in question were acquired before Malami became Attorney-General, and therefore could not be tied to any alleged criminal proceeds.
Lawyers representing other respondents named in the case, including individuals and companies, similarly urged the court to reject the EFCC’s forfeiture application.
The July 10 judgment will determine whether the disputed properties are permanently forfeited to the government or returned to their owners.
In a related matter, Malami appeared in court last Tuesday for continued proceedings in the ₦8.7 billion money laundering case against him. He is being prosecuted alongside his son by the EFCC.
Recall that Justice Abdulmalik had, on Friday, May 22, 2026, adjourned the money laundering trial — involving Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami — till June 23, 2026. The defendants face a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procurement, disguising, concealment and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the resumed sitting, prosecution counsel J.S. Okutepa (SAN) informed the court that although the matter was billed for continuation of hearing, the prosecution had been served a letter from the defence requesting an adjournment.
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