The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, until July 15.
The judgment, which was scheduled to be delivered on Friday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, could not proceed because the judge did not sit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had earlier fixed July 6 for judgment after counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), and counsel to Malami and other respondents, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), adopted their respective processes and presented arguments for and against the forfeiture application.
The EFCC is seeking the final forfeiture of the 57 properties, alleging that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Arguing the commission’s application, Okutepa told the court that the motion, filed in February, was supported by a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits contained in three volumes. He urged the court to grant the application, contending that Malami and the other respondents had failed to satisfactorily show that the properties were lawfully acquired.
He asked the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
In response, Adedeji informed the court that the respondents had filed a counter-affidavit on February 27, supported by a 109-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Malami.
The senior advocate argued that the affidavit sufficiently showed cause why the final forfeiture order should not be granted. He urged the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order and hold that the respondents had demonstrated that the properties were not acquired from the proceeds of any criminal activity.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to July 15 for judgment.
