On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja postponed its verdict regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suit targeting 57 properties associated with former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami. The new date for the judgment is set for July 15, as the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, was absent.
Previously, Justice Abdulmalik had scheduled the ruling for July 6 following arguments from both legal teams. EFCC attorney Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, requested that the court order the permanent forfeiture of these assets to the government. He asserted that the properties were likely obtained through illicit activities and argued that the respondents failed to provide evidence of legitimate acquisition. The EFCC motion includes 46 exhibits across three volumes.
In defense, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, representing Malami and the other respondents, argued that the EFCC case is built solely on speculation rather than concrete proof. Adedeji contended that the properties were acquired legally and pointed out that some were purchased before Malami held public office. He urged the court to reject the forfeiture request, emphasizing that judicial decisions must be based on evidence rather than suspicion. Adedeji also criticized the prosecution’s use of extrajudicial evidence, arguing that the matter required oral testimony which the court had already declined.
