By George Mgbeleke <\/p>\n
Civil rights advocacy group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has canvassed strong and unanimous civil society organizations’ solidarity and support for the aggressive anti-corruption campaign and prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission just as HURIWA particularly applauded the legal steps adopted so far by the anti-graft agency in the case of alleged corruption by the immediate past Federal Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN). <\/p>\n
HURIWA has also called on the Federal Government to demonstrate good faith by transparently putting to good uses for the benefit of the good people of Nigeria those proceeds of Crimes already reclaimed by the EFCC as a way of gaining the comprehensive trust of the masses of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “As it is, the people want the government to demonstrate accountability and openness in the deployment of the recovered looted funds and assets regained back from corrupt public office holders and politically exposed persons by both the ICPC and importantly the EFCC. Public good must be served because it would be a disaster if the recovered funds are re-looted from the government officials who should deploy the confiscated assets and funds towards attainment of public good.”<\/p>\n
“We in the organised civil society community in Nigeria are so far pleased by the constitutionally permitted steps adopted so far by the EFCC in the matter involving former AGF\/ justice minister Abubakar Malami a senior advocate of Nigeria even as the Rights group described the actions of EFCC as one of the most trustworthy methodologies guaranteed by the Nigerian law which in section 6 stated that the judicial powers of the Federation is conferred on the courts of competent jurisdiction. The EFCC invited Abubakar Malami in a humane fashion and has so far abided systematically by the precepts of the laws of Nigeria. The misplaced criticism of the anti-graft agency by some opposition political leaders on the specific prosecution of Abubakar Malami is hereby rejected by us and the over 65 registered CSOs affiliated to HURIWA. ”<\/p>\n
Quoting the wise saying by the United States of America born prolific author of dozens of books, Mr. Les T. Csorba who said that ‘trust is the one thing that makes or breaks a leader’, HURIWA reminded those criticising the EFCC on the arrest and prosecution of Abubakar Malami that the EFCC has won the trust of Nigerians in this case by abiding and complying absolutely with the stated modus operandi for waging a law based anti-corruption fight by most importantly obtaining from a competent court of law, a binding order seizing temporarily about 57 properties linked to Abubakar Malami just as the EFCC has timeously dragged Abubakar Malami to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, got him lawfully arraigned and the court has through the discretionary powers of the presiding judge, ordered his remand in Kuje prison alongside his wife and son pending the fulfilment of terms and conditions the court prescribed for him to be freed temporarily on bail. <\/p>\n
The Rights group through the Executive Director, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government.
\nJustice Emeka Nwite made the order on Tuesday, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).<\/p>\n
HURIWA affirmed that the development was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the EFCC\u2019s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, who said the properties\u2014valued at approximately N213.2bn\u2014are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.<\/p>\n
According to the EFCC, the assets are spread across the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states and include hotels, university buildings, plazas, filling stations, warehouses, residential estates, shops, factories and large parcels of land.
\nIn his ruling, Justice Nwite ordered that all the properties listed in the schedule attached to the motion be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.
\n\u201cIt 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,\u201d the judge ruled.<\/p>\n
The court further directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to enable any interested persons or entities to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
\nJustice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the court\u2019s directives.
\nThe EFCC disclosed that the properties include several high-value real estate assets in prime locations within Abuja.<\/p>\n
Among them is a luxury duplex located at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011, within Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja, File No. AN Enhancement 11352. The property was purchased in December 2022 for N500m and later enhanced to an estimated value of N5.95bn.
\nAnother listed asset is a two-winged large storey building located at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, formerly operating as Harmonia Hotels Limited. The property was acquired in December 2018 for N7bn.
\nAlso included is Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Abuja, comprising a five-storey building now operating as Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, with 53 rooms and suites.
\nThe property was reportedly purchased in September 2020 at carcass level for N850m, with an additional N300m paid to secure possession. Its current estimated value stands at N8.4bn.
\nOther Abuja properties include terraces in Asokoro District purchased in January 2021 for N360m; Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama, with 15 rooms purchased in February 2018 for N430m and now valued at N12.95bn; and Plot No. 1241B in Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), acquired in July 2021 for N325m.
\nCommercial assets listed include Shop No. C82, Citiscape\u2013Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in March 2024 for N120m; Shops A36 and B3 at Vegas Mall, Wuse II, acquired in July 2023 for N158m; and two warehouse shops, B40 and B46, at Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 for N50m.
\nAdditional residential properties include No. 26, Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 for N136m; No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, acquired in January 2016 for N120m; twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, purchased between February and May 2017 for N250m; and a bedroom duplex with boys\u2019 quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, purchased in October 2018 for N150m.
\nOutside the FCT, the EFCC listed properties in Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
\nThese include No. 4, Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, purchased in December 2022 for N300m; Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, acquired in July 2019; a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, purchased in 2023 for N101m; and a four-bedroom bungalow with boys\u2019 quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 for N40m.<\/p>\n
Also listed is a plaza, commercial toilets, laundry facilities, warehouses, tanks and 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi\u2013Jega Road, purchased in 2020 for N100m.
\nThe EFCC further identified properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage. These include nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows and 5.4 hectares of land purchased between February and September 2023 for N187m, among other assets detailed in the schedule.
\nMalami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, are already standing trial before Justice Nwite over alleged N8.7bn money laundering.
\nDuring proceedings on last Wednesday, HURIWA recalled that the judge issued a stern warning to counsel and litigants, cautioning against attempts to improperly influence the court.
\n\u201cI want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The best you can do for your clients is to get the best lawyers in this country. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I want to warn each and every litigant and lawyer appearing before this court that they should understand the way this court works. Please, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Any attempt to tarnish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned!\u201d he said.
\nEarlier on Wednesday, Justice Nwite granted bail to Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife in the sum of N500m each in respect of an alleged N9bn money laundering charge.
\nThe judge admitted the defendants to bail following their arraignment on 16 counts filed by the EFCC and ordered that each defendant produce two sureties in like sum.
\nHe ruled that the sureties must own landed properties within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja, with valid title documents to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. The sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means.
\nJustice Nwite further ordered Malami to deposit his passport and all other travel documents with the court and restrained him from travelling outside Nigeria without express permission of the court.
\nThe defendants and their sureties were also directed to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
\nPending the perfection of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Malami be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
\nThe court fixed February 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial.<\/p>\n
Reacting to the unprecedented criticisms of the EFCC\u2019S prosecution of Abubakar Malami, HURIWA said aside the fundamental constitutional facts that the anti-graft commission followed the recommended lawful steps, the Rights group believed that Malami is not above the law just as HURIWA said the onus is on the immediate past Chief law officer of the Federation to offer credible proofs of legal ownership of the properties temporarily seized just as HURIWA said Malami has the opportunity guaranteed by the law to defend himself of the criminal charges slammed on him by the EFCC. <\/p>\n
HURIWA said the position of the opposition politicians regarding the prosecution of Malami as a political vendetta does not hold water because it is shocking that we are now reading about allegations of unlawful acquisition of wealth by the former AGF\/Justice minister whilst in office. We in HURIWA are not drawing any conclusions yet regarding the charges slammed on Abubakar Malami but we are asking that the EFCC and the court be allowed to bring the prosecution to a lawful conclusion given that Malami being a very senior lawyer has the capacity to engage some of the best criminal defense lawyers to argue his case and establish his innocence or otherwise before the court of competent jurisdiction. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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