A Federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at more than N212 billion, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to a former attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami.
The order was granted by the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.
According to court documents, the properties are located in Abuja, Lagos, and other major cities, include luxury houses, apartments, and commercial buildings.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and should be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending further proceedings.
The EFCC disclosed that Malami, his wife and son are facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, alleging that they disguised the origin of illicit funds and used them to acquire the properties.
The court further directed the anti-graft agency to publish the forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The former Attorney-General has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
RN
