“Free Me by Court Order” — Same Man Who Detained Zakzaky Now Faces EFCC Over ₦212bn
In a landmark development that has captured national attention and fuelled heated debates across Nigeria’s legal, political, and anti-graft communities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced 41 high-value properties worth ₦212.89 billion to Abubakar Malami, SAN — former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The revelation comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged money laundering and financial misconduct involving Malami and members of his family.
This comprehensive exposé unpacks the development in detail, contextualises the significance of the findings, analyses the legal and political dimensions, and explores its broader implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture and rule of law.
Unmasking the N212 Billion: An Asset Breakdown
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that the properties allegedly linked to Malami span across three major regions — Kebbi State, Kano State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja — with a combined valuation exceeding ₦212.89 billion.
👇 Below is a snapshot of key assets allegedly traced:
🟦 Kebbi State — ₦162.19 billion
Kebbi accounts for the largest chunk of assets, including:
Rayhaan University (Multiple Sites) — Combined valuation of over ₦96 billion
Rayhaan Model Academy & Primary/Secondary Schools — Valued at over ₦20 billion
Industrial and Agro-allied Facilities — Including factories, machinery, and commercial buildings worth billions
Azbir Brand Investments — Hotel, retail spaces, mosque, pharmacy, and warehouses
Residential Estates and Foundation Buildings connected to Malami and family members
🟥 Kano State — ₦16.01 billion
Assets in Kano include:
Zeennoor Hotel — Approximately ₦11.2 billion
Rayhaan Hotel Kano & Rayhaan Gym — Combined valuation in the billions
Residential Property along Ahmadu Bello Way — Valued at nearly ₦1 billion
🟩 FCT Abuja — ₦34.68 billion
Prime Abuja properties comprise:
Duplex in Maitama — Around ₦5.95 billion
Meethaq Hotels (Jabi & Maitama) — Over ₦21 billion combined
Harmonia Hotels, Area 11 Garki & Multiple Bungalows — In prime locations
Family Residences and Estates — Linked to Malami and sons
This asset profile, publicly disclosed by several independent news sources, paints what many analysts describe as a “jaw-dropping” pattern of ownership for a public official allegedly acquired through opaque methods and complex corporate structures.
Legal Action: 16-Count Money Laundering Charges Filed
Accompanying the property disclosure is a 16-count charge sheet filed by the Federal Government against Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges relate to alleged violations of Sections 15, 18, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
According to the charge sheet:
Malami and co-defendants are accused of indirectly disguising proceeds of unlawful activity through companies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd, and Efab Properties Ltd.
Several specific transactions — including payments for property acquisitions and commercial operations — are listed as allegedly constituting money laundering.
The prosecution alleges these activities occurred between 2018 and 2025, overlapping with Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The charges suggest a pattern of alleged concealment and misrepresentation of the origins of funds used in property acquisitions and other investments — a central tenet of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
Court Order Controversy: EFCC, Bail, and Claims of Defiance
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama is a legal tussle over a bail order granted to Malami by a competent court. Malami’s legal team insists that the EFCC was duly served with the bail order, contradicting claims by the anti-graft agency that it was not received.
According to Malami’s legal representatives:
The bail order was personally served, and its receipt acknowledged by a senior EFCC lawyer.
Any suggestion that the order was not served is described as misleading and potentially damaging to the rule of law.
The legal team insists that continued detention sans full compliance with the court order undermines judicial authority.
This dispute underscores persistent tensions between enforcement bodies and judicial oversight — a flashpoint in Nigeria’s broader accountability ecosystem.
A Legacy Under Scrutiny: The Political and Ethical Lens
Abubakar Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General (2015–2023) was one of the most influential in recent Nigeria history. Serving under former President Muhammadu Buhari, he played a pivotal role in legal reforms, national security cases, and high-profile prosecutions.
However, his legacy has also been marked by controversy — including opposition criticisms of selective justice, perceived political interference, and allegations of fiscal misconduct. The current EFCC probe thus reverberates not just as a legal case but as a symbolic test of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability for all, regardless of stature.
Senior legal figures have historically warned about the dangers of impunity in justice administration — “It is Zakzaky today, it may be another person tomorrow…” a quote from prominent lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, issued during an earlier era of resistance to government defiance of court orders. That admonition now resonates in current debates about fairness and due process in Malami’s case.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Fight
This development could signal several critical shifts:
1. Strengthening Asset Recovery
If substantiated, the tracing of ₦212bn in properties could be one of the most significant asset recovery revelations in recent Nigerian history — reinforcing the EFCC’s enhanced trace-and-recover capabilities.
2. Judicial Independence vs Enforcement Power
The conflict over bail service highlights ongoing friction between enforcement agencies and judicial authority — a debate that strikes at the heart of constitutional governance.
3. Political Implications
The case comes amid an increasingly charged political landscape, with Malami’s affiliations and past policy influence drawing public attention. How it unfolds may shape political discourse ahead of key electoral cycles.
4. Public Perception and Rule of Law
Nigeria’s public — already sceptical about fairness in governance — is closely watching whether legal processes are applied equitably, especially for high-profile figures.
Conclusion
The EFCC’s disclosure of 41 properties worth over ₦212 billion allegedly linked to Abubakar Malami, SAN, represents a watershed moment in Nigeria’s anti-corruption narrative. With complex legal challenges, political implications, and intense public scrutiny, this case may become a defining chapter in the country’s pursuit of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
As proceedings continue, stakeholders — from civil society to legal experts — are converging on a shared demand: that justice be transparent, impartial, and unfettered by influence. The outcome could have lasting implications for governance reform and public trust in the institutions that safeguard Nigeria’s democratic project.
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