Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked a federal court to order the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General Abubakar Malami. The properties, spread across Abuja, Lagos, and Kebbi State, are said to have been acquired through proxies and associates, raising questions about their ownership and funding.
The EFCC argued that the properties were obtained with proceeds of corruption and insisted that Malami could not provide legitimate explanations for their acquisition. Prosecutors told the court that investigations traced the assets to individuals connected to Malami, and urged the judge to grant a permanent forfeiture order in the interest of justice.
Malami has denied wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated and an attempt to tarnish his reputation. His legal team maintains that the properties do not belong to him and that the EFCC has failed to establish a direct link. Supporters of Malami have echoed this defense, while critics argue that the case highlights the need for stronger accountability among Nigeria’s political elite.
Public reaction has been divided, with anti-corruption advocates welcoming the EFCC’s push as a step toward transparency, while others caution against selective prosecution. The court’s decision will be closely watched both within Nigeria and internationally, as it could set a precedent for how corruption allegations against high-ranking officials are handled in the future.
