The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Minister of Justice, to the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following an ex parte motion moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, to that effect.
The multi-billion naira landed properties are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
Although the order was made on Tuesday, its certified true copy (CTC) was sighted on Wednesday.
“It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” the judge said.
Justice Nwite, in the ruling, also directed the publication of the interim order of forfeiture in any national daily, inviting any person or body who may have interest in the properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of the publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties should not be made.
The judge then adjourned the matter until Jan. 31 for a report of compliance.
The assets include:
Luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, within Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama; File No: AN Enhancement 11352, purchased in December 2022 at N500,000,000.00 (value after enhancement at N5,950,000,000).
Two-winged large storey building situated at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, purchased in December 2018 at N7,000,000,000.00.
Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building (now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi, with 53 rooms and suites), purchased in September 2020 at carcass level at N850,000,000.00, with an additional N300,000,000.00 to take possession (value after completion N8,400,000,000).
Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, comprising terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000.00.
Property No. 3, Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Maitama, with 15 rooms), purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000.00 (current value after rehabilitation is N12,950,000,000).
Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), Asokoro District, purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000.00.
Shop No. C82, Citiscape, Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, FCT, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000.00.
No. 4, Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000.00.
Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019, with no specific amount stated.
A plaza, commercial toilets, laundry, warehouse tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market, purchased in 2021 at N100,000,000.00.
100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road, purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000.00.
Four-bedroom bungalow, Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 at N101,000,000.00.
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