A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties worth an estimated ₦212 billion linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The ruling hands the assets to the Federal Government after Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed objections by Malami, his family members and associated companies.
Here are some of the most valuable assets forfeited:
- Rayhaan University Permanent Campus – ₦56bn
The single most valuable asset on the list is the permanent site of Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, valued at ₦56 billion.
- Rayhaan University Temporary Campus – ₦37.8bn
The university’s temporary campus was also forfeited, with an estimated value of ₦37.8 billion.
- Meethaq Hotel, Maitama – ₦12.95bn
The luxury 15-room hotel in Abuja’s exclusive Maitama district is among the biggest commercial properties forfeited.
- Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School – ₦8.75bn
The education facility in Kebbi is valued at ₦8.75 billion.
- Meethaq Hotel, Jabi – ₦8.4bn
The 53-room luxury hotel in Abuja’s Jabi district was also ordered forfeited.
- Former Harmonia Hotel, Area 11 Abuja – ₦7bn
The massive hotel complex in Garki forms part of the forfeited assets.
- Luxury Duplex in Maitama – ₦5.95bn
A high-end duplex purchased for ₦500 million and later enhanced to an estimated ₦5.95 billion made the forfeiture list.
- Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory – ₦4.2bn
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the factory buildings.
- Factory Machines and Plants – ₦10.5bn
Industrial equipment belonging to the agro-allied company was also forfeited.
- Azbir Hotel, Kebbi – ₦10.33bn
The luxury hotel is among the biggest hospitality assets affected.
- Rayhaan Model Academy – ₦11.2bn
Another education facility valued at ₦11.2 billion will now belong to the Federal Government.
- Zeennoor Hotel, Kano – ₦11.2bn
The 131-room hotel in Kano was also forfeited.
- Hotels, Schools and Commercial Businesses
The forfeiture covers hotels, schools, factories, filling stations, plazas, warehouses, radio stations and shopping complexes spread across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi.
- Luxury Homes Across Abuja
Several upscale homes located in Maitama, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, Wuse II, Jabi and Apo Legislative Quarters were also forfeited.
- Vast Land Holdings
The court ordered the forfeiture of over 100 hectares of land in Kebbi, alongside several other strategic land assets.
- Shopping Malls and Commercial Units
The list includes shops at Vegas Mall, Shariff Plaza, Wuse Market, warehouses and commercial plazas.
- Family Houses
Properties allegedly belonging to Malami, his sons and affiliated foundations in Kebbi also made the forfeiture list.
- Oil and Gas Assets
The forfeited properties include an oil and gas filling station structure and tanker garage in Kebbi.
- Sports and Recreation Facilities
Assets such as the Azbir Arena, gardens, gymnasium and related recreational facilities were also affected.
- Mosques and Other Ancillary Buildings
Several mosques and support buildings attached to the educational and commercial projects were included in the forfeiture order.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the critical issue before the court was not who claimed ownership of the properties, but whether the funds used to acquire them were legitimate.
With the judgment, 48 of the 57 properties initially seized by the EFCC have now been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, making it one of the largest asset forfeiture orders ever recorded in Nigeria by value.
