Abubakar Malami Seeks to Overturn Forfeiture Order on Properties Linked to Him

Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of Nigeria, through his legal team led by Joseph Daudu, has filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the setting aside of an interim forfeiture order granted against three properties linked to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had listed these properties as part of 57 assets allegedly acquired through unlawful means.

Malami's legal team argued that the properties were lawfully acquired and cited declarations made to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as proof of ownership. The motion also challenged the EFCC's failure to provide prima facie evidence linking the properties to any specific offense.

Justice Inyang Ekwo has scheduled a hearing to vacate the interim forfeiture order. The EFCC's counsel, Ekel Iheanacho, informed the court that the assets were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and requested the publication of the forfeiture order for interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.