The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 6 July for judgment in a high-stakes forfeiture suit brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, over 57 properties.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers on both sides adopted their final processes and presented oral arguments. The EFCC is seeking the permanent forfeiture of the assets, which it says are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
EFCC’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, urged the court to grant the application, arguing that Malami and other respondents had “woefully failed to show cause” that the properties were legitimately acquired. He prayed the court to order the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government.
However, counsel for Malami and other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, countered that the former AGF had filed a 109-paragraph affidavit demonstrating that the properties were not acquired from crime proceeds. He argued that the EFCC relied on mere suspicion, insisting that “the court deals with evidence, not suspicion.”
Mr Adedeji also criticised the EFCC’s reliance on what he called “extra judicial evidence,” adding that the case could not be properly determined without oral evidence – a request the court had earlier declined. He urged the court to set aside an earlier interim forfeiture order.
Other lawyers representing individuals and companies linked to the case also asked the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application in the interest of justice.
After adopting all submissions, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until 6 July for ruling and judgment.
(NAN)