Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties, University Linked to Ex-AGF Malami - Newstrends
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Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties, University Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

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Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties, University Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties, University Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

Justice Abdulmalik rules ownership claims cannot shield illicit wealth as EFCC secures major asset recovery victory.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties, including a university, linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) , to the Federal Government. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully established that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The judge ruled that Malami and other claimants failed to demonstrate that the properties were acquired through legitimate sources, dealing a significant blow to the former senior government official who had vigorously contested the forfeiture proceedings.

In dismissing multiple applications, motions on notice, and objections filed by Malami, members of his family, and companies associated with the assets, Justice Abdulmalik described all their arguments as lacking merit. The judge emphasized that the central legal question was not who owns the properties, but the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire them. “The issue before the court is not who owns the property, but how legitimate the funds used to acquire the properties are,” she declared, holding that the respondents “had not dislodged the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired by unlawful activities.” Relying on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Justice Abdulmalik granted the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, though she vacated the interim forfeiture order on nine properties initially sought by the anti-graft agency, ruling that the EFCC failed to prove they were acquired through unlawful activities.

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The EFCC had sought the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at over ₦212.8 billion, alleging they were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, and the court’s ruling largely favored the commission’s case. The forfeited assets are spread across the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the states of Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna, forming an extensive portfolio of prime real estate. Among the key assets now permanently forfeited are luxury hotels including Meethaq Hotels in Jabi, which boasts 53 rooms and suites, and another Meethaq property in Maitama with 15 rooms, as well as the former Harmonia Hotels complex in Garki, Abuja. The forfeiture also covers educational institutions such as the permanent, temporary, and third campuses of Rayhaan University, alongside the Rayhaan Model Academy in Kebbi State. In Abuja’s most exclusive neighborhoods, the court seized a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama; terraces at Property No. 3130, Asokoro; commercial property at Yakubu Gowon Crescent; twin houses at Apo Legislative Quarters; and properties in BUA Estate, Efab Estate, and Karsana District. Commercial properties including shops at Citiscape-Shariff Plaza and Vegas Mall in Wuse II, Abuja, as well as commercial plazas, warehouses, and filling stations in Kano and Kebbi, were also forfeited, alongside 100 hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road, housing developments linked to Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative, and various properties in Kaduna. According to the EFCC, many of these properties were acquired between 2016 and 2024 before being developed into luxury hotels, commercial complexes, and estates worth billions of naira.

Malami had vigorously challenged the forfeiture proceedings, insisting the assets were lawfully acquired and duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2019 and 2023. He argued that the EFCC relied on suspicion rather than credible evidence and failed to establish any link between the assets and criminal activity. In a 40-page affidavit, Malami claimed lawful income of ₦15.5 billion between 2015 and 2023, including salary, business turnover, bank loans, wedding gifts, and book launch proceeds, to justify the asset acquisitions. The court, however, dismissed these arguments, holding that the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion established by the EFCC, thereby affirming that mere declarations to the CCB do not immunize assets from forfeiture proceedings when reasonable suspicion of illicit acquisition exists.

This civil forfeiture is separate from the ongoing 16-count money laundering trial that Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe are facing before the Federal High Court. The EFCC alleges that the defendants laundered about ₦9 billion in public funds through the acquisition of choice properties across the country. The final forfeiture order represents one of the largest court-ordered asset recoveries in Nigeria, marking a significant victory for the EFCC in its anti-corruption efforts and sending a strong signal that public office holders cannot shield illicitly acquired assets through ownership claims or technical legal objections.

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties, University Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

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Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

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August 29, 2026

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Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

At least 26 Boko Haram fighters have been killed and 10 motorcycles destroyed after troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion repelled an attack on their position in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack occurred at about 10:50pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, according to the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri on Saturday, Goni said the attackers launched an assault on the military position but were met with direct and indirect fire from the troops.

The military response reportedly forced the fighters to retreat towards the Cross Kauwa axis, with several of them killed during the encounter while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Troops subsequently conducted an exploitation of the area and recovered some of the bodies of the fighters killed during the confrontation.

As the fleeing terrorists attempted to withdraw from the area, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was deployed to track and engage them.

Goni said the operation was conducted despite challenging weather conditions, with military aircraft locating a group of the fleeing fighters taking cover under trees.

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The air component subsequently carried out a strike that reportedly killed an estimated 10 terrorists.

The operation was further supported by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

According to Goni, the surveillance assets tracked about 20 motorcycles carrying fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns/Kangarwa axis.

The intelligence enabled the Air Component to conduct a follow-up precision strike, which reportedly killed an additional 15 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles.

Ground troops continued operations in the area and reportedly killed another terrorist during subsequent exploitation.

They also recovered two motorcycles, assorted ammunition and other logistics items, according to the military.

The coordinated ground and air operations were aimed at preventing the attackers from regrouping after the failed assault and disrupting their ability to move fighters and supplies around the area.

The military said the operation further degraded the terrorists’ mobility and fighting capability, while denying them the opportunity to reorganise and launch another attack.

Following the engagement, troops were reportedly replenished by air with essential combat supplies to enable them to sustain the operation and maintain pressure on terrorist elements.

Four military personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation. However, the military said none of the injuries was life-threatening.

The wounded personnel were evacuated by air for medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.

Troops have since commenced reorganisation and extensive exploitation of the area, while battle-damage assessment remains ongoing.

Goni said the successful defence of the Kukawa military position demonstrated the ability of Operation Hadin Kai to integrate ground forces, air assets and intelligence capabilities in responding to terrorist threats.

The latest operation also underscores the strategic importance of Kukawa and the Cross Kauwa axis, which are located within the wider Lake Chad Basin security theatre where insurgent groups have continued to operate.

The area has witnessed repeated counter-insurgency operations as Nigerian forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force work to restrict the movement of Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked fighters around the Lake Chad region.

The Nigerian military has increasingly relied on a combination of ground operations, airstrikes and intelligence-led surveillance to track terrorist movements, disrupt their logistics and prevent attacks on military positions and communities in Borno.

The military said it would sustain offensive operations and intelligence-led surveillance aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, denying them freedom of action and protecting communities across the North-East.

The casualty figures released by the military represent its assessment of the operation. Independent verification of the reported number of terrorists killed was not immediately available.

Borno: Troops kill 26 Boko Haram fighters, destroy 10 motorcycles in Kukawa

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Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

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August 29, 2026

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Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria – Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB) of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian nationals who were allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate. The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. This operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against transnational organized crime and human trafficking, demonstrating the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation between Nigeria and Colombia.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the details of the operation in a statement released on Saturday, August 29, 2026. According to the statement, the two women were “fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated” by some Chinese nationals, who are currently at large. Upon receipt of the intelligence from INTERPOL-NCB Bogotá, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day. The statement read in part, “Upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day.” According to police, the suspects fled the location when they noticed the approaching operatives. “The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the approaching team, and efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate,” the statement said. The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.

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The police said the rescued Colombian nationals are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support, including medical care and counseling services to help them recover from their traumatic experience. The statement further disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working in close collaboration with the National Central Bureau to secure hotel accommodations for the victims and arrange emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to Bogotá. The embassy’s involvement underscores the importance of diplomatic cooperation in handling cross-border trafficking cases and ensuring that victims are not re-victimized by bureaucratic hurdles.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes. The statement said Disu “reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes.” The police said efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.

This rescue operation highlights the growing challenge of transnational human trafficking in Nigeria, which serves as both a source, transit, and destination country for victims. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria has seen an increase in cases involving foreign nationals being trafficked into the country for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery. The involvement of Chinese nationals in this case points to the international nature of trafficking syndicates operating in the country. The police have called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies, as community cooperation remains vital in combating these crimes.

Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

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Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

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August 29, 2026

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Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

TASAFE, Zamfara State – The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued nine travellers who were trapped in a bandit attack along the Gusau-Funtua Federal Highway in Tsafe Local Government Area, following a fierce gun battle between security forces and the assailants. The police also arrested a suspected arms courier and recovered 11 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles in a separate operation along the same highway on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The incident occurred at about 1:20 pm when the Tsafe Divisional Police Headquarters received reports of heavy gunshots around the Kwanoni-Gidan Giye axis of the highway. According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, suspected bandits had intercepted two vehicles and attacked their occupants. One of the vehicles was a Sharon mini-bus, with registration number KWL 742 ZY, driven by Lawal Dauda of Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, which was conveying seven passengers from Gusau to Zaria. The second vehicle, an unregistered bus driven by Haruna Alhaji Nasiru of Danja LGA, Katsina State, was carrying his son, Sanusi Haruna, and transporting dry cassava from Sokoto to Funtua. The police said the Tsafe Divisional Police Officer, alongside operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and military personnel under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, immediately moved to the scene after receiving the distress call. The security forces engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the attack and flee towards the mountainous outskirts of Tsafe town. “Some of the bandits are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds,” the statement said. All nine occupants of the two vehicles were rescued unharmed.

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In a separate operation at about 5:30 pm the same day, VCRU operatives arrested a 50-year-old man, Khalid Umar, who was allegedly conveying 11 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles. Umar, who is from Bawa Ganga Village in Tsafe LGA, was intercepted along the Funtua-Tsafe Federal Highway following credible intelligence. According to the police, a preliminary investigation showed that the suspect was allegedly conveying the firearms from Shuwaki Village in Bakori LGA of Katsina State to Bawa Ganga in Zamfara. The suspect is currently in police custody, while the recovered firearms have been secured for further investigation. The police said the investigation would determine the source and intended recipients of the weapons and identify other persons connected with their procurement and movement.

Friday’s rescue operation comes just days after a more deadly attack on the same highway. On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a large group of heavily armed bandits blocked the Gusau-Funtua Federal Highway near Unguwar Chida Village, Tsafe LGA, and opened fire on motorists and passengers. During that attack, eight travellers were killed, including the driver of a Sharon vehicle and seven passengers, while eight others were abducted and nine sustained gunshot injuries. Security forces later pursued that same group of bandits and engaged them in a gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of 17 suspected bandits, according to police. Several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds. The police and military were still conducting operations to track the fleeing members of the gang and rescue the abducted passengers as of Thursday.

The command assured motorists and residents that it would sustain joint patrols and intelligence-led operations along major highways and other vulnerable areas in the state. The statement said joint patrols comprising the police, military, Community Protection Guards, hunters and local vigilantes have been deployed along the highway and other vulnerable locations. It said the measures were aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action and ensuring the safety of travellers. The Commissioner of Police has directed operatives to sustain the ongoing search-and-rescue operations with renewed determination to secure the release of the abducted passengers and bring the fleeing bandits to justice.

 

Zamfara Police Rescue 9 Travellers, Arrest Arms Courier After Gun Battle With Bandits

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