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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 2 for judgment in the suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is seeking to permanently seize the properties, which it claims are connected to unlawful activities.
At Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa, told the court that the matter was slated for hearing on the Commission’s application for final forfeiture as well as other pending motions.
Counsel to the respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, however, informed the court that 16 separate motions had been filed seeking to overturn the interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court on January 6, 2026.
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Adedeji argued that the properties in question were not proceeds of crime, insisting that the allegations against his client were based merely on suspicion.
He also urged the court to grant an extension of time for the respondents to properly show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In response, Okutepa disclosed that the EFCC had filed a 77-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, Adebayo Daniels, along with eight exhibits and additional legal arguments opposing the applications filed by the defence.
The senior lawyer urged the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications, arguing that they had failed to provide sufficient justification to prevent the forfeiture of the properties.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently reserved judgment till July 2.
