Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of 48 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The judge granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application for permanent forfeiture after ruling that the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed several motions on notice and applications to show cause filed by Malami, his family members, and associated companies, describing them as lacking merit. She stressed that the central issue before the court was not the question of ownership, but the legitimacy of the source of funds used to acquire the assets.

“The respondents have not dislodged the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities,” the judge held.

Justice Abdulmalik relied principally on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act to grant the final forfeiture order. She, however, vacated the interim forfeiture order in respect of some of the properties.

The EFCC had in January 2026 initiated civil forfeiture proceedings, seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at ₦212.8 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that the assets, located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, were proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami.

On January 16, 2026, vacation judge Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order and directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.

Following the publication, Malami, his wife Nana Hadiza Malami, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and several companies filed objections, arguing that the properties were lawfully acquired and that the EFCC’s case was based on speculation rather than concrete evidence.

After the court resumed from its annual vacation, the case was reassigned to Justice Abdulmalik. The EFCC maintained during hearings that the properties were bought with proceeds of unlawful activities and held in the names of fronts for the former minister. The commission argued it only needed to establish “reasonable suspicion” under the law.

In late May 2026, parties adopted their final written addresses, after which the judge reserved judgment.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Danladi Umar, the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), who is standing trial on allegations of abuse of office and corruption.

Justice Peter Kekemeke admitted Umar to bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety who must hold a Certificate of Occupancy for property in Abuja. The judge ordered that Umar remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fully satisfied.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke said the prosecution failed to prove that the defendant would interfere with witnesses, noting that the alleged witnesses were staff of the CCT during Umar’s tenure. The court also held that there was no evidence suggesting Umar was likely to jump bail, as he had made himself available throughout the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation.

Umar was arraigned by the EFCC on July 9, 2026, on a four-count charge. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prison pending the bail application.

The charges allege that Umar used his official position to confer unfair advantages on himself, including the receipt of payments totalling around ₦15 million. One of the specific allegations involves ₦5.5 million allegedly paid into his wife’s account by a contractor engaged to paint the CCT headquarters.

The case has been adjourned to October 29, 2026, for further hearing. If convicted, Umar faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

•Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele

The Senate on Tuesday disclosed the identities of four security personnel who were killed and another injured during the operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers from terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

They were Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349), Nigerian Army; Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army; and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force.

He added that “Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries in the course of the operation.

Bamidele recalled that terrorists abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, subjecting the victims, their families and the nation to fear and anguish.

He said the attack represented “a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West” and “a direct attack on the right of every child to be educated in a safe and secure environment.”

According to him, Tinubu immediately directed the Armed Forces and security agencies to deploy all available lawful military assets to secure the unconditional release of the victims.