Malami Rejects Court Verdict, Takes Action Over Forfeiture of 48 Properties

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has rejected a Federal High Court judgment ordering the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to him and has moved to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Malami announced his decision shortly after the court ruling delivered in Abuja.

He said he disagreed with parts of the judgment and had instructed his lawyers to begin the appeal process immediately.

The ruling was handed down by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court ordered the final forfeiture of the properties after concluding that the claimants failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the assets were acquired through legitimate means.

According to the court, the explanations presented before it did not remove the suspicion surrounding the ownership of the properties. The judge held that the claimants were unable to establish that the assets were lawfully obtained.

Reacting to the development, Malami insisted that the legal battle was far from over. In a statement issued through his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, the former minister said the judgment should not be seen as the final word on the matter.

He noted that Nigeria’s judicial system provides opportunities for decisions of lower courts to be reviewed by higher courts. He said the appellate process exists to ensure fairness and proper examination of legal questions that may arise from judgments.

Malami maintained that he remains committed to the rule of law and due process. He also expressed confidence that the issues raised in the case would receive proper consideration at the Court of Appeal.

The former Attorney-General urged members of the public to avoid making hasty conclusions while the appeal is pending. He stressed that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to challenge court decisions through the channels provided by law.

He further appealed to media organisations and commentators to allow the legal process to run its course, insisting that the matter remains active and subject to judicial review.

Malami also thanked his supporters in Kebbi State and across the country for standing by him during the legal proceedings. He assured them that the court case would not affect his commitment to national development and public service.

Calling for calm, he urged his followers to remain peaceful and law-abiding as the legal process continues.

The forfeiture case is one of several high-profile anti-corruption matters pursued by the EFCC in recent years. The commission has consistently maintained that assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities should be recovered through legal processes in accordance with existing laws.

The next phase of the case is expected to shift to the Court of Appeal, where Malami’s legal team will seek to overturn the forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court.