Court again postpones judgement in forfeiture suit against assets linked to Malami

A Nigerian court has again delayed a decision on the forfeiture of 57 properties reportedly connected to former Attorney General Abubakar Malami. This marks the second postponement within a week for the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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they did not know why the judge did not sit.

On Friday, the judgment was rescheduled for July 15. Court officials cited the judge's absence as the reason for the delay, though specific details were not provided. The court had initially set July 6 for the ruling, following the conclusion of hearings on May 26. The previous Monday, the judgment was moved to Friday, again without a stated reason.

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the assets in issue were acquired legitimately.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched civil forfeiture proceedings in January, alongside a separate criminal case against Malami, his wife, and son. The EFCC obtained an interim forfeiture order for the properties in the same month. Permanent forfeiture proceedings followed, with Malami and other parties asserting the assets were legitimately acquired.

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the assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and held in the names of individuals and companies acting as fronts for Mr Malami.

The commission contends that its investigation revealed the properties were bought with proceeds from unlawful activities and registered under individuals and companies acting as Malami's fronts. The EFCC seeks to make the interim order permanent, arguing its investigation links the properties to the former attorney general despite third-party registration. Malami, however, disputes the application, denying ownership and claiming the EFCC relies on speculation rather than concrete evidence.

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the EFCC failed to establish any connection between him and the assets or prove that they were proceeds of unlawful activities.