BREAKING: Abuja Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 57 Properties Linked to Former AGF Malami
January 7, 2026 – Legal / Nigeria

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, following an ex-parte application by the EFCC.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order, temporarily vesting control of the multi-billion-naira real estate assets in the Federal Government. The properties, spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna, include luxury hotels, duplexes, plazas, warehouses, shopping units, and residential estates.

The EFCC suspects these assets are proceeds of unlawful activities carried out between 2015 and 2025 during Malami’s tenure as AGF. The court has directed that the forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper to allow third parties to contest the action within 14 days.

This interim forfeiture is linked to ongoing criminal proceedings against Malami, his wife, and son, who face a N8.7 billion money laundering charge. The EFCC alleges that they used bank accounts and extensive property acquisitions to conceal illicit funds.

Malami has denied any wrongdoing and was granted N500 million bail.

Ex-AGF Malami, Son, Wife Remanded as Abuja Court Adjourns Bail Hearing to January 7

A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on January 2, 2026, adjourned ruling on the bail applications of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and wife Hajia Bashir Asabe to January 7. The three were further remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre. They face 16-count charges of money laundering totaling ₦8.7 billion under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The court adjourned after both defence and prosecution filed multiple affidavits, with the defence urging bail on liberal terms and the prosecution citing risks of witness interference and the need to study new filings. The judge assured that justice would be served promptly.

Abuja Court Adjourns Former AGF Abubakar Malami’s Bail Hearing to January 7 Over ₦8.7 Billion Money Laundering Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the bail hearing of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to January 7, 2026. Malami, currently remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, faces alleged money laundering charges alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, SAN, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe.

The defendants are accused of laundering ₦8.7 billion through various accounts and corporate entities, using some of the funds to acquire multiple high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi. The EFCC alleges that the offences occurred between 2015 and 2025, largely during Malami’s tenure as Attorney General.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, includes allegations of concealing and retaining proceeds of unlawful activities, with the EFCC citing the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The court initially scheduled the hearing for January 2 but later adjourned it for procedural reasons.

Abuja Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Bello Turji’s Alleged Financiers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the Federal Government’s request to reopen a terrorism case against five suspects accused of financing notorious bandit leader Bello Turji. Initially struck out due to claims of non-diligent prosecution, the case—marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024—was reinstated by Justice Emeka Nwite following arguments from the Attorney-General’s office. The defendants, including Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (aka Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, face multiple counts of providing material, logistical, and financial support to terrorist networks operating in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna. The court adjourned the case to January 21, 2026, for continuation of hearings.

Abuja Court Upholds EFCC Administrative Bail for Ex-Minister Chris Ngige, Imposes Fresh Surety Conditions

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has upheld the administrative bail granted to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, by the EFCC. Justice Mariam Hassan ruled that Ngige must present a surety who is a Federal Government director and owns landed property, with the surety required to deposit property documents and travel documents pending the retrieval of Ngige’s passport. Ngige faces an 8-count charge over alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the NSITF during his tenure. The EFCC had opposed bail, citing Ngige as a flight risk, noting that he previously traveled abroad on administrative bail and failed to return his passport.

BREAKING: Abuja Court Dismisses Former AGF Abubakar Malami’s Bail Application As EFCC Intensifies Probe Over Alleged $16.9million Abacha Loot Scam

An Abuja court has dismissed a bail application filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), challenging his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency confirmed that Justice Babangida Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory Court declined the request for bail. The ruling comes amid ongoing EFCC investigations into multiple petitions accusing Malami of abuse of office, money laundering and alleged involvement in a $16.9 million legal fees fraud linked to the recovery of the late General Sani Abacha’s loot.

Abuja Court Sentences Man to Six Months for Illegal Sale of Naira Notes

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Faisal Muhammad to six months in prison for illegally selling Naira notes in violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act. Muhammad was arrested in July 2025 at Abuja’s A.Y.A. area while hawking a total of N3,150,000 in N500 and N1,000 denominations. Pleading guilty to the offence, he was sentenced by Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia, who confirmed the prosecution had established its case. The court also offered an option of a N200,000 fine. The EFCC reiterated that illegal trading in Naira notes is a criminal offence that undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s currency.

#EFCC
#IllegalNairaTrade
#AbujaCourt

Abuja Court Frees 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters, Dismisses Treason and Terrorism Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 11 activists arrested during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, striking out all treason and terrorism-related charges brought against them. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the allegations were unfounded, marking what activist Adaramoye Michael Lenin described as a “historic victory.” The protesters had been detained for over a year after security agencies accused them of attempting to destabilise the country during nationwide demonstrations fuelled by economic hardship, insecurity, and public frustration under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Human rights groups consistently condemned the charges as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissent. With the ruling, all accused individuals have been fully discharged.

#EndBadGovernance

#HumanRights

#AbujaCourt

SSS: Tukur Mamu Took ₦50m From Terrorists After Kaduna Train Attack, Court Told

An SSS investigator has testified in an Abuja court that Tukur Mamu, an aide to Sheikh Gumi, received ₦50 million from terrorists after the 2022 Kaduna train attack. Testifying behind a protective screen, the officer said voice notes played in court captured Mamu arranging ransom payments, with a terrorist leader, Shugaba, authorizing him to keep ₦50 million for himself. Another recording featured the group’s spokesperson requesting sound equipment, which Mamu promised to consider. Mamu is accused of negotiating ransoms on behalf of terrorists, bypassing official channels, and ensuring ransom funds reached the kidnappers.
#KadunaTrainAttack #TukurMamu #TerrorismTrial

Abuja Court Dismisses Ex-Binance Executive’s Damages Claim Over Detention By NSA, EFCC | Sahara Reporters

Abuja Court Declines Order To Produce Nnamdi Kanu For Appeal Record Settlement, IPOB Leader’s Lawyer Cries Out

Sowore Asks Abuja Court To Dismiss ‘Defective’ Forgery, Cybercrime Charges, Wants IGP Egbetokun Sanctioned For Violating Police Act.

Sowore is facing allegations bordering on criminal defamation, forgery of a police wireless message, and cybercrime. However, through his counsel, Abubakar Marshal, he argued that the charges are “defective, incompetent, and an abuse of prosecutorial powers” in violation of the Nigeria Police Act and Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out the charges brought against him by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

Sowore is facing allegations bordering on criminal defamation, forgery of a police wireless message, and cybercrime. However, through his counsel, Abubakar Marshal, he argued that the charges are “defective, incompetent, and an abuse of prosecutorial powers” in violation of the Nigeria Police Act and Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Barrister Madaki informed the court that efforts to serve the second defendant, SaharaReporters, had been unsuccessful.

He explained that although the court granted an order for substituted service, the process of publishing the charges in national dailies had not yet been completed.

He, therefore, requested additional time to perfect the service.

Defence counsel Marshal, however, informed the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charges.

He insisted that the objection must be heard before any arraignment could take place.

Abuja Court Dismisses INEC’s Bid to Halt Prosecution of 2023 Election Offenders

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) attempt to overturn a judgment mandating it to investigate and prosecute electoral offenders from the 2023 general elections.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling delivered on July 23, 2025, dismissed INEC’s preliminary objection, declaring that his July 18, 2024 judgment was final and not a default ruling as claimed by the Commission.

The court reaffirmed that only the Court of Appeal can overturn the judgment, not the same court via administrative excuses.

The case followed a suit by SERAP, which accused INEC of failing to act on electoral violence, bribery, and vote-buying. Justice Egwuatu’s earlier ruling directed INEC to appoint independent counsel and prosecute offenders, including political office holders.

The contempt hearing against INEC is set for October 20, 2025.#INEC, #SERAP, #ElectoralOffences, #NigeriaElections2023, #ElectionViolence,

Court Orders Senate to Reinstate Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Senate to reinstate Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring her six-month suspension excessive and unconstitutional.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako said the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act were overreaching and failed to set a clear limit on suspensions. She emphasized that lawmakers sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, and a six-month suspension would effectively c+t off a senator’s ability to represent their constituents for nearly the entire session.

The court ruled that while the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, such punishment must not infringe on the rights of the electorate.

It also rejected Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s argument that the court had no jurisdiction, affirming its power to review constitutional v+olation.

However, the judge upheld Akpabio’s action in denying Akpoti-Uduaghan a chance to speak on the Senate floor, noting she wasn’t in her designated seat at the time. The court directed her to apologize to the Senate and ordered her to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days.

Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan was fined ₦5 million for contempt, after breaching a court order by making public comments about the case. She is also currently facing two separate cases of cybercrime and d+famation in Abuja courts.

Abuja Court Jails Man Five Years for Currency Counterfeiting

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, June 3, 2025 convicted and sentenced one Philimon Ibrahim Gora to five years imprisonment for currency counterfeiting without option of fine.

He was initially arraigned on a seven- count charge but subsequently amended to one-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of counterfeit currency.

The count reads; “That you Philemon Ibrahim Gora on or about the 7th July 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court had in your possession without lawful authority 21 pieces of counterfeit One Hundred US Dollar bills series 2009A with serial numbers LB4550078L ($100) denomination knowing them to be counterfeit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5(1) (b) and punishable under Section 5(2) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provision) Act Cap C35, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty, prompting the matter to go into full trial. Prosecution counsel, A.O Muhammad called three witnesses that testified against the defendant.

Justice Omotosho thereafter found Gora guilty and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Gora`s journey to the Correctional Center started in 2021 when he was arrested with 26 pieces of One Hundred US Dollar Bills ($100) with 21 out of the 26 dollar bills bearing the same serial No; LB45440078L. He was charged to court and jailed.