Court Again Adjourns Judgment In Malami-linked Forfeiture Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has again adjourned judgment in the asset forfeiture case involving 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The judgment is now scheduled for July 15, 2026. The matter could not proceed on Friday because Justice Joyce Abdulmalik did not sit.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is asking the court to order the final forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government. The anti-graft agency says the assets are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa had argued at the previous sitting that the application was backed by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits. He asked the court to rule that Malami and the other respondents had not shown that the properties were acquired legitimately.

Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, opposed the application and asked the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order. He argued that the respondents had shown that the properties were not acquired from proceeds of crime.

The court had first fixed July 6 for judgment after hearing arguments in May, but the matter was moved again before Friday’s adjournment.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times