Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The judgment, which had earlier been scheduled for Monday, was deferred by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to July 10.
The case, filed by the EFCC, seeks a final forfeiture order over properties the anti-graft agency alleges are proceeds of unlawful activities.
Although the matter was listed for judgment, proceedings did not go ahead. No reason was given for the adjournment. Three other cases on the court’s cause list were also assigned fresh dates.
At the last hearing, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), urged the court to grant the commission’s application, arguing that the respondents failed to satisfactorily explain the source of the properties.
Okutepa told the court that the application was supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit and multiple exhibits, and asked the court to permanently forfeit the assets to the Federal Government.
However, Malami’s lawyer, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), opposed the request, insisting that the properties were lawfully acquired and not proceeds of crime.
He argued that the commission’s case was based largely on suspicion rather than concrete evidence.
“The court deals with evidence, not suspicion,” Adedeji said.
The senior advocate also contended that some of the assets were acquired before Malami assumed office as Attorney-General and maintained that the respondents had shown sufficient cause why the forfeiture order should not be granted.
Other lawyers representing individuals and companies joined in urging the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until July 10 for judgment.
