Malami: Court Shifts Judgment in EFCC Forfeiture Suit to July 10

The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted judgment in the forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against 57 properties linked to the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to July 10, 2026.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted judgment in the forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against 57 properties linked to the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to July 10, 2026.

Nairametrics observed the change in date on the court’s cause list at Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s court.

Recall that the anti-graft agency is seeking the final forfeiture of the properties linked to Malami, alleging that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

What the court is saying

The forfeiture case judgment was previously fixed for today, July 6, 2026.

However, upon arrival at the court, Nairametrics observed that a new date had been appended to the cause list, effectively adjourning the judgment to July 10.

The development means today’s verdict has been deferred to a new date, in line with the rules of the court.

Get up to speed

The forfeiture proceedings are connected to an ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving Abubakar Malami, his wife, Asabe Rakiya Bashir, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

In January, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the trio bail in the sum of N1.5 billion after they were arraigned on allegations bordering on money laundering.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges before being remanded in custody pending the court’s ruling on their bail applications.

What you should know

In March, compliance officers from two major commercial banks testified as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing trial before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

• The witnesses tendered bank statements and related financial documents as evidence on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
• The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on an amended 16-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8.71 billion.

Before the legal developments against the former AGF, reports had emerged that Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was under investigation for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering and abuse of office.

• Reacting to the development in a press release at the time, the Office of Abubakar Malami, SAN, accused the EFCC of “brazen, contemptuous, and lawless conduct” in its handling of matters concerning Malami.

Nairametrics reports that Malami had previously accused the EFCC and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against him.

Malami’s camp alleged that EFCC raids on his offices and residences in Abuja and Kebbi State were retaliatory, following his call for Olukoyede’s recusal over alleged bias linked to Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.

However, the EFCC has denied the allegations, insisting that it is not acting in a partisan manner.