
News
Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami, worth N213b
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government.
The ruling was granted on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex-parte application by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho, according to a statement by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale.
Oyewale said the properties, valued at approximately N213.2 billion, span Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States and are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The assets include luxury residences, hotels, schools, filling stations, warehouses, plazas, shops, factories, and large parcels of land.
“It is hereby ordered that an interim order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties described in Schedule 1 below which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The judge also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited. The case has been adjourned to January 27, 2026, for a compliance report.
Among the seized properties are a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, valued at N5.95 billion after enhancement; two large storey buildings in Garki, Abuja, formerly Harmonia Hotels, valued at N7 billion; and Meethaq Hotels in Jabi and Maitama, with combined values exceeding N21 billion. Other assets include commercial shops, warehouse facilities, and extensive landholdings across the four states.

Listing the properties, the judge said, “Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 Within Cadastral Zone, A06 Maitama; File No.: AN enhancement 11352, which was purchased in December 2022 at N500,000,000.00 (value after enhancement at N5,950,000,000). Two-winged, large-storey building situated at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone, A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, which was purchased in Dec. 2018 at N7,000,000,000.
“Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building (Now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi, with 53 rooms/suites), which was purchased in Sept. 2020 at carcass level at N850,000,000 with additional N300,000,000 to take possession (value after completion N8,400,000,000). Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, comprising terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000.
“Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama, with 15 ROOMS), which was purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation is N12,950,000,000).
“Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent) Asokoro District, which was purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000. Shop No. C82 Citiscape—Shariff Plaza, Plot 739 Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, FCT, Abuja, which was purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000.
“No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, which was purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000. Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa, GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019 with no specific amount stated. A plaza, commercial toilets, laundry, warehouse tanks adjacent 100 Hectares Of Land Along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road, which was purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000.
“Four Bedroom Bungalow Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, which was purchased in 2023 at N101,000, 000. Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja, which was purchased in July 2023 at N158,000,000.
No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 at N136,000,000. No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 59:tm: Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, purchased in January 2016 at N120,000,000. Four Bedroom/ 2 Rooms Boys Quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in Jan. 2018 at N40, 000, 000.00. Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 at N85,000,000.
“A bedroom duplex & boys quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, purchased in Oct. 2018 at N150,000,000. Two warehouse shops, B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 at N50,000,000. Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, were purchased between February and May 2017 at N250,000,000. Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage, namely.”
Others are nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land, which were purchased between February 2023 and September 2023 at N187,000,000, among other assets listed in the schedule.
Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz are already facing trial before Justice Nwite over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering. On Wednesday, the court granted Malami bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties required to provide landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa. Malami must also deposit his travel documents and passport photographs with the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without court permission.
Justice Nwite fixed February 17 for the commencement of trial on the corruption charges, which include a 16-count money laundering charge filed by the EFCC against Malami, his son, and his wife.
The interim forfeiture marks one of the most extensive asset seizures linked to a former federal minister in Nigeria, highlighting ongoing efforts by the EFCC to recover suspected illicit wealth. The Guardian
News
Gov Mbah approves new appointments to key Enugu institutions
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has approved the appointment of new members and principal officers to key state institutions as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reform institutions, strengthen governance and enhance effective service delivery.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this in a statement made available to Newsmen on Friday, September 4,2026 in Enugu.
The appointments are as follows:
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Prof. Gabriel Ajah — Chairman
Christian Mbah — Member One
Mrs. Stella Ekweremadu — Member Two
Mrs. Theresa Onyefuzili Ifeanyichukwu — Member Three
Uzonna Emmanuel Ogarabe — Member Four
Ambrose Nwodo — Secretary

ENUGU STATE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET)
Dr. Amaka S. Ngene — Chairman
Bonaventure Onu — Member
Barr. Nnadi Eluke — Member
Kingsley Agwu — Member
Mrs. Joy Odike — Secretary
ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ESUT) GOVERNING COUNCIL
Barr. Victor Chukwuani — Chairman
Engr. James Ifeanyichukwu Ajibo — Member
Dr. Eric Oluedo — Member
Dr. Mrs. Gladys Ngozi Okoro — Member
Chukwu Chikaodiri Joy — Member
INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY (IMT) GOVERNING COUNCIL
Hon. Chinedu Onu — Chairman
Dr. Barth Nwankwo — Member
Barr. Emeka Ede — Member
Mrs. Rita Chimaobi — Member
Prince Tony Nwonye — Member
ENUGU STATE POLYTECHNIC, IWOLLO GOVERNING COUNCIL
Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Aniagboso Igwe — Rector
Deaconess Ifeoma Nwobodo — Chairman, Governing Council
Obinna Aleke — Member
Barr. Henry Okeke — Member
Emeka Abba — Member
ENUGU STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) (ESCET) GOVERNING COUNCIL
Barr. Nwabueze Ugwu — Chairman
Prince Cletus Ajaegbu — Member
Dr. Chiesonu Isiga Eruchalu — Member
Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwatu — Member
Theophilus Onyebeke — Member
The appointments take effect immediately.
News
Boko Haram attacks APC governorship candidate’s convoy in Borno
Suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists have attacked the convoy of Mustapha Gubio, the governorship flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State.
Sources said the incident took place along the Gubio-Karote-Damasak highway in the northern part of the state on Thursday.
Damasak is located in northern Borno and is about 190km from Maiduguri, the state capital.
The convoy was en route to Mobbar, headquarters of Damasak Local Government Area, to pay a thank-you visit to members of the APC for their support which led to his emergence as the consensus candidate in the party’s last primary elections.
Sources said: “The convoy came under heavy attack around Kareto community at about 2:30pm, but was swiftly repelled by a combined team of security escorts, including soldiers, police, NSCDC, DSS, CTJF and vigilante groups.”

According to an insider who escaped but did not want his name mentioned, “The incident happened during a thank-you tour by Mustapha Gubio and his team to the northern part of the state.
“It was a terrifying moment for us; we came under heavy attacks by terrorists yesterday.”
He continued, “The terrorists fired several Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) on our convoy, which also followed by sporadic shooting. Luckily, our security agencies repelled the attacks.
“Police armoured vehicles were damaged, but there was no casualty,” said the source.
Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, confirmed the attack, saying: “Police tactical operatives successfully counter-engaged suspected terrorists who attacked a convoy along the Kareto–Damasak Road with an IED and rocket-propelled grenades.
“The tactical team forced the terrorists to retreat into the surrounding bush and subsequently scanned and cleared the immediate axis to neutralise secondary explosive threats.
“The convoy, conveying a gubernatorial aspirant, government officials and political stakeholders, was safely evacuated to a secure location with no casualties recorded among members of the entourage.”
News
Harsh economic policies pushing young Nigerians to sell their kidneys to survive — Atiku
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has blamed the desperation of young Nigerians to sell their kidneys on President Bola Tinubu’s harsh economic policies.
It could be recalled that the police last week raided a hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, after it was reported that at least 10 young men were victims of organ harvesting.
Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has now accused President Bola Tinubu of making life more expensive for Nigerians, saying he would make the country affordable again if given the opportunity.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, Atiku expressed concern over reports of young Nigerians allegedly selling their kidneys and other body organs in desperate attempts to survive the country’s worsening economic hardship.
He said young Nigerians should be pursuing their dreams, building careers and developing innovative ideas rather than considering the sale of their body organs as a means of survival.

“I have heard disturbing stories about the extent to which young Nigerians are being driven simply to survive.
“Perhaps the most horrifying are the growing reports of young people selling parts of their bodies: kidneys in particular, in desperate attempts to raise money.
“Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” Atiku wrote.
He added that the rising cost of food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicine and electricity had worsened the living conditions of many Nigerians.
According to him, reports that some young Nigerians were being driven to sell their kidneys for as little as N1.7 million reflected the level of desperation caused by the cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku said Nigeria’s laws prohibiting commercial organ sales and organ trafficking were insufficient to address the poverty and desperation that make vulnerable young people targets of criminal networks.
He stressed that economic reforms should improve the living conditions of citizens by making basic necessities more affordable.
“Economic reform must have a human face. It must mean affordable food, cheaper transportation, accessible healthcare, decent jobs and renewed hope for the next generation.
“Our young people should be selling their ideas, talents and innovation to the world and not their kidneys for N1.7 million just to survive at home,” he said.
Atiku described the situation as the human cost of Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis, accusing the Tinubu administration of worsening the economic burden on Nigerians.
He further stated that “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”
-
News2 days agoRivers Oil Tragedy: Toxic fumes claim 37 lives
-
News3 days agoSecurity guard allegedly kills employer two weeks after resuming duty
-
News2 days ago2027: I’m ready to die protecting my vote — Obi
-
News3 days agoFor Jim Nwobodo, it’s about good name!
-
News1 day agoBoko Haram attacks APC governorship candidate’s convoy in Borno
-
News3 days agoUber exit a wake-up call, exposes Nigeria’s business crisis
-
News3 days ago7 DAYS TO GO: Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 builds excitement among Enugu youths, opens doors to opportunities
-
News2 days agoHarsh economic policies pushing young Nigerians to sell their kidneys to survive — Atiku




