The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed judgment in the forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) against 57 properties linked to former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The court declared the postponement during Malami’s arraignment stating that the development would serve as more eye-opener of the case to ensure proper final injunction by the court.
The ruling , initially scheduled for Monday, 13th July will now be delivered on July 15 after Justice Joyce Abdulmalik failed to sit.
The case which adjournment was decided on Friday in a court sitting in Abuja, has drawn significant public interest, was initiated by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of properties allegedly acquired through unlawful means.
On May 26, the court had fixed July 6 for judgment after both parties adopted their written arguments. The adjournment means the fate of the properties remains undecided until the new date.
EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, argued that Malami and other respondents had “woefully failed to show cause” that the properties were legitimately acquired.
He urged the court to permanently forfeit them to the federal government, stressing that the motion was supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits.In response,
Malami’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, countered that the EFCC relied merely on suspicion rather than evidence.
“The court deals with evidence, not suspicion,” he said, insisting that the properties, some acquired before Malami assumed office, “were not proceeds of crime.” He further argued that the prosecution relied on “extrajudicial evidence” that should ordinarily be tested during criminal trial proceedings.
Adedeji also filed a 109-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Malami himself, alongside other counter-affidavits from respondents and companies listed in the matter.
He urged the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order and reject the EFCC’s request, maintaining that the respondents had demonstrated legitimate ownership of the properties.
The adjournment prolongs a case that underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with corruption and asset recovery.
The final judgment, now expected on July 15, will determine whether the properties remain with Malami and the other respondents or are permanently forfeited to the federal government.