The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final court order forfeiting 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the Federal Government over alleged proceeds of unlawful activities.

The order was granted on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who held that the anti-graft agency had established that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and not from legitimate sources of income.

Among the forfeited assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent, temporary and third campuses, the Vice Chancellor's residence, and Rayhaan Radio, located along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi.

Other major assets affected by the order include several hotels in Abuja and Kano, commercial plazas, luxury residential buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, extensive parcels of land in Kebbi State, shopping complexes, filling stations, warehouses, and high-value residential properties spread across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi states.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, including its buildings, machinery, staff quarters and mosque, as well as assets belonging to Azbir Arena, comprising Azbir Hotel, a printing press, gallery, gardens, mosque, clothing outlet, pharmacy and supermarket.

Also forfeited were the assets of Zeennoor Hotel in Kano, Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage, Rayhaan Security House, an uncompleted commercial plaza, an Amasdul Oil and Gas filling station, and residential and commercial properties acquired through Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative in Kebbi State.

The final forfeiture followed an interim order granted on January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite after an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

Following the interim order, the Commission published notices in national newspapers, inviting interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Malami, alongside 14 family members and associates, subsequently challenged the interim forfeiture, questioning the jurisdiction of the court and asking that the order be set aside.

They also opposed the application for final forfeiture.

After hearing the matter on May 27, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik reserved judgment before delivering her ruling on Wednesday.

In the judgment, the court held that the respondents failed to discharge the evidential burden placed on them, as they could not satisfactorily explain the legitimate sources of the funds used to acquire the properties.

The judge ruled that merely claiming ownership of the assets was insufficient in non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings, stressing that respondents were required to provide credible evidence showing that the properties were acquired with lawfully earned income.

Justice Abdulmalik consequently ordered the final forfeiture of all 48 properties to the Federal Government, affirming the EFCC's position that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities.