The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to July 10, 2026.

The suit, filed by the anti-graft agency, seeks a final order of forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government on the grounds that they are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the new date after counsel for the EFCC and lawyers representing Malami and other respondents adopted their final written addresses and supporting documents.

At the last sitting, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the court to grant the commission’s motion filed in February. The application was supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit with 46 exhibits contained in three volumes. 

Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the properties were lawfully acquired. He asked the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government.

Counsel to Malami and other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, opposed the application. He told the court that the defense filed a 109-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by Malami himself to “show cause” why the interim forfeiture order should not be made final. 

Adedeji also drew the court’s attention to 16 motions seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026. He contended that the EFCC relied on suspicion rather than concrete evidence and urged the court to dismiss the forfeiture request.

The EFCC is seeking the forfeiture of properties estimated at N213.2 billion located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States. 

Respondents listed in the suit include Malami, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Hajia Bashir Asabe, Abiru’Rahman Abubakar Malami, and several companies such as Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd, and Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE.

The commission had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order on January 6, 2026. Justice Emeka Nwite had directed the EFCC to publish the order in national dailies to allow interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.

Aside from the civil forfeiture case, Malami is also challenging the interim order at the Court of Appeal. He has additionally filed a motion before the Federal High Court seeking to vacate the order on three specific properties in Kano and Abuja.

The former AGF is also facing a separate 16-count charge before the court bordering on alleged conspiracy, concealment, and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8.71 billion. He has denied the allegations.

The court said it will deliver judgment on July 10, 2026, after reviewing all processes filed by both parties.