EFCC Moves to Finalise Seizure of 57 Properties Linked to Former Nigerian Justice Minister
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has intensified its legal efforts to permanently secure 57 properties allegedly connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. In a motion filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the commission argues that the assets are proceeds of unlawful activity and should be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
Background and Context
The legal action represents a significant test of Nigeria’s non-conviction-based forfeiture laws. The EFCC obtained an interim forfeiture order earlier this year, which was published in a national newspaper on January 9. Under Nigerian law, interested parties must show sufficient cause why such an order should not be made permanent. The commission contends that despite this notification, the respondents failed to justify the legitimacy of the assets or overturn the court’s initial ruling.
Key Figures and Entities
The list of respondents includes Mr. Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), along with his immediate family: his son Abdulaziz, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and another individual identified as Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami. The case also targets several corporate entities and firms allegedly used to hold the assets. Investigations suggest that some of the properties were acquired through proxies and are linked to business networks associated with the Rayhaan Group, including educational ventures such as Rayhaan University in Kebbi State.
Legal and Financial Mechanisms
According to court filings and sworn affidavits, EFCC investigators conducted a comprehensive audit of the former minister’s finances during his tenure from 2015 to 2023. This review involved data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), commercial banks, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The investigation highlights a stark discrepancy between Mr. Malami’s declared income and the value of the property portfolio. Records indicate he received a total salary of N89,664,000 (approximately $962,663 per month), a severance allowance of N12,158,400, and N253,608,500 in estacodes for official travel. Investigators argue that the acquisition of 57 properties spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna is “manifestly disproportionate” to these known lawful sources of income.
Furthermore, the EFCC alleges that many structures in Kano and Kebbi States lack necessary building permits from land registries and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), suggesting a scheme to disguise the illicit origins of the funds used to acquire them.
International Implications and Policy Response
This case underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcing accountability within high-level public office in Nigeria. The alleged use of family members and corporate proxies to obscure asset ownership reflects sophisticated methods of obfuscation that watchdogs argue require stronger regulatory oversight. The outcome of this forfeiture bid could set a precedent for how the state addresses unexplained wealth among former top officials, particularly regarding the enforcement of asset declaration laws administered by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Sources
This report draws on court filings and motions presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja, including sworn affidavits from the EFCC. It also references financial records and asset declaration forms obtained from the Code of Conduct Bureau, Corporate Affairs Commission, and Federal Inland Revenue Service covering the period from 2015 to 2024.
