Delivering judgement, Justice M.O. Olajuwon held that the anti-graft agency provided sufficient evidence to establish that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to one Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi.

The forfeited assets include a 23-room hotel and event centre, De Thinkers Home and Apartments, located in Nyanya Gwandara; a warehouse and sachet water factory in Koroduma, Karu Local Government Area; two office buildings along Philip Doda Street in the same area; and Theo International Academy Primary School, also in Nyanya Gwandara.

Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of N1,005,489.27 found in a First Bank account linked to the respondent.

Justice Olajuwon ruled that the EFCC met the legal threshold under Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.

“The Commission has placed sufficient materials before the court to prove that the assets are proceeds of unlawful activity,” the judge stated.

He further noted that once the EFCC established reasonable suspicion, the burden shifted to the respondents to justify the legitimacy of the assets.

“The respondents failed to discharge the burden placed on them to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited,” he added.

Earlier, the EFCC, through an affidavit deposed by its investigator, Mary Ebute, told the court that a Keystone Bank account belonging to Theobarth Global Foundation served as the primary channel through which funds were collected from victims.

The Commission alleged that the account was used to operate a Ponzi scheme and launder proceeds through the acquisition of the forfeited assets.

EFCC counsel, Ibrahim Buba, argued that the properties were directly traceable to fraudulent activities, urging the court to grant final forfeiture in favour of the Federal Government.

The court subsequently granted the application, transferring ownership of the assets to the government.

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According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Friday, “personnel have been strategically positioned at churches, event centres, highways, recreational locations, and other public spaces.”

“At the same time, patrol teams and tactical units have been mobilised to maintain security and provide rapid response where necessary,” she added.

The state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Heads of Tactical Units to intensify visibility policing, sustain intelligence-led operations, and remain on a high level alert throughout the festive period.

He also instructed them to maintain close coordination with religious leaders within their jurisdictions to ensure effective security coverage during the celebrations and beyond.

The CP further charged officers to conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism, civility, and respect for fundamental human rights in their interactions with members of the public.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant, security-conscious, and to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s Control Room numbers: 07032069501 or 08125275046.

Parents and guardians have also been advised to keep close watch over their children and wards during the festivities.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and called on residents to continue cooperating with the police in maintaining peace and order across the state.

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The EFCC, in a motion on notice for final forfeiture of the properties filed by its team of lawyers led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that Malami had failed to place sufficient evidence of genuine ownership before the court to warrant the court to vacate the earlier interim order granted on the properties,

The motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, named Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe and Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami as 1st to 4th respondents.

Others are Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd as 5th to 9th respondents.

They also include Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, Real Edge Agro Services Ltd as 10th to 15th respondents respectively.

The application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.

The anti-graft agency sought a ‘final order of the court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the properties described in the schedule below, which were found by the commission as properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Giving six grounds why the application should be granted, Okutepa submitted that the court has the statutory powers under the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, to grant the reliefs being sought.

The lawyer said it is a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture proceeding.

According to him, the properties sought to be attached and forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawtul activitics.

“This honourable court made an interim order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The order of the honourable court has been published in a national daily, namely THISDAY Newspaper of 9th January, 2026.

“No sufficient cause has been shown why the properties under the interim forfeiture order should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Okutepa argued.

In an affidavit in support of the motion, Daniel Adebayo, an investigating officer with the Special Duties Committee of the EFCC, said he had the consent of the commission’s chairman to depose to the affidavit and from facts gathered in the course of the investigation.

He said the commission received several petitions against the former minister from different organisations alleging a serious case of corruption, abuse of office and fraud.

He said upon receipt of the series of petitions, his team carried out several investigation activities which included making inquiries and receiving financial records from commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said the team wrote and received response from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Federal Inland revenue Services (FIRS), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS).

He said it also include the Land Registry of Kebbi State, Sokoto State and Kano State, Kebbi State Inland Revenue Service, FCT Inland Revenue Services, National Universities Commission (NUC), visiting the sold landed properties and valuation of the assets.

The officer said the team invited and interviewed individuals who featured in the investigation.

He listed Malami’s lawful sources of income while he served as Minister between 2015 and 2023, including salaries, allowances, estacodes, which total sums were not proportionate to the alleged properties he illegally acquired.

“I know as a fact and verily believe the findings of the investigation, which are as follows:

“Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, was the Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, hereinafter referred to as HAGF, from 2015 to 2023.

“He was paid a total of N89, 664, 000.00 as salary between 2015 and 2023, whilst in office, with an average payment of N962,663.68 per month.

“He also received a severance allowance of N12, 158, 400.00 at the end of his tenure in office.

“Mr. Malami SAN was also paid estacodes allowances to cover his travel expenses whenever he travelled outside the country on official trips.

“He calculated and declared a total sum of N253, 608, 500.00 as the amount he received for the official trips between 2015 and 2023 in a letter written to the Chairman of the CCB as an addendum to his Assets Declaration Form in June 2023.

“Attached and collectively marked as Exhibit EFCC 2 & 3 are copies of the asset declaration forms filled out by Mr. Malami SAN from 2015 to 2023, together with a letter dated 16th of June, 2023 written by him to the Chairman of the CCB as addendum to the assets declaration form as found at his house during EFCC’s execution of search warrant.”

He said “aside the actual acquisition of the properties which are manifestly disproportionate to Mr. Malami SAN‘s known and lawful sources of income, no building permits/approvals from appropriate authorities were obtained to erect most of the various structures in Kano and Kebbi States as part of a scheme to disguise unlawful origin of the funds used to acquire the assets.”

Adebayo alleged that Malami indirectly acquired some of the assets either in his name or through third-party individuals or front companies/entities (which are currently under his chairmanship vide the Rayhaan Group Ltd).

The EFCC listed the 57 multi-billion naira landed properties located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States, including temporary and permanent sites of Rayhaan University in Kebbi.

Justice Abdulmalik has however fixed April 21 for the hearing of the commission’s motion.

A sister court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, had, on January. 6, ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities to the Federal Government.

The judge made the order following an ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Iheanacho.

The judge had directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested person(s) to show cause, within 14 days, why all the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The case was, however, reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu after the vacation ended but Egwuatu recused himself from the matter, citing personal reasons and in the interest of justice, before it was reassigned to Abdulmalik.

Malami and others had since challenged the anti-graft agency’s civil suit, praying the court to vacate the forfeiture order.

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The event, held in Lagos, also featured the presentation of cheques to families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, drawing participation from key groups including the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, the Eminent Persons Forum, community and religious leaders, as well as representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN.

Addressing participants, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Olaiwola Tijani, commended stakeholders for their sustained support in crime prevention and public safety, stressing the need for stronger collaboration in tackling security challenges across the state.

He emphasized the importance of synergy between the police and the public, particularly in ensuring swift responses to distress calls and maintaining law and order.

The police chief also highlighted key concerns such as cultism and electoral violence, assuring that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies and modern technology to improve its operational capacity.

In a solemn highlight of the event, the Command presented a total of N53,387,209.48 to families of fallen officers under the Inspector-General of Police Family Welfare Scheme.

The gesture, according to the Command, reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s continued commitment to supporting families of personnel who died in active service.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos Command for the financial support, noting that the assistance would help ease the burden faced by families left behind.

Reaffirming the Force’s position, the Commissioner assured that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be forgotten, adding that the police would remain steadfast in providing support to their families.

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In Lagos State, 2,250 officers and men have been stationed at worship centres, recreational parks, and other strategic locations, to guarantee a peaceful and incident-free festive period.

The Lagos State Commandant of the Corps, Adedotun Keshinro, said the operation is aimed at safeguarding lives and property, as well as protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and securing vital installations in all sectors of the economy.

Speaking during a meeting with senior officers, including management staff, area commanders, divisional officers, and heads of tactical and counter-terrorism units at the Command headquarters in Alausa, Keshinro disclosed that operational strategies had been strengthened to curb criminal activities and prevent vandalism before, during, and after the celebrations.

He added that the Lagos Command would work closely with other security agencies to achieve effective coordination and maintain public safety throughout the festive period.

Keshinro urged officers and personnel to remain proactive and committed to securing key locations such as oil pipelines, public facilities, places of worship, parks, and other sensitive points across the state.

According to him, the Command has also intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and patrol activities, while deploying specialised units, including the Special Female Squad and Quick Intervention Squad, to respond swiftly to any security threats.

He assured residents that both physical and intelligence-driven strategies have been put in place to ensure comprehensive security coverage throughout the Easter period.

The Commandant congratulated Christians on the celebration and called on them to reflect the virtues of love, sacrifice, humility, and tolerance, which define the Easter season.

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During their World Press Conference in Abuja on Thursday, ADC, through its national Chairman, David Mark called for the sack or resignation of Amupitan, alleging partisan bias.

This was on account of the decision of the Commission to remove the name of the party’s leaders from its portal a decision it described as obedience to a recent Court of Appeal Judgment.

The Commission said it recognises the right of stakeholders to express their views, but said it was imperative to clarify that INEC is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman noted that the appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” it said.

“While a political party or a group is allowed to protect their interest, the Commission decided to comply with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal to avert a situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State where elected officials were removed by the Election Tribunal on account of the disobedience of Court Judgment.

“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory.

“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.

“Additionally, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.

“The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities. It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it. Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the Judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such Judgment.

“Far from undermining the multi-party system, the Commission under Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has actively expanded the democratic space. The recent registration and recognition of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and National Democratic Party (NDP), bringing the total number of active political parties to 22, is an empirical rebuttal to any claim of a one-party agenda. INEC remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition.

“The Commission’s updates to party leadership records are strictly anchored on compliance with subsisting court orders and statutory requirements under the Electoral Act 2026.

“INEC will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties, nor will it allow itself to be used as a proxy for resolving organisational challenges that belong to the parties themselves, especially when the Court of Appeal has ordered that the matter be granted accelerated hearing.”

The Commission also said that it has noticed an attempt to politicise the planned nationwide Voter Revalidation exercise.

“The decision to revalidate the Voters Register pre-dates the appointment of Professor Amupitan. The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters. The current register includes data spanning from 2011 to 2024. This exercise is designed to sanitise the register and is to be executed in phases,” it added.

“The revalidation is intended to confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from transfers, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data in Nigeria. It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration.

“It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic. It is a uniform, transparent process that will be conducted across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, with robust digital options for ease of access. All the stakeholders will be carried along on this issue.

“The Commission is currently focused on the surgical precision required for the forthcoming Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026) off-cycle elections. We will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias. Our allegiance remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people.

“The Commission understands that some decisions can be challenging and may not always align with individual party interests. However, the Commission is dedicated to fostering an electoral environment where transparency and fairness prevail.

“The decisions taken by INEC are based on thorough evaluations and aligned with the legal framework that governs our operations including adherence to the Rule of Law. They are intended to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, which ultimately serve the interests of all stakeholders within our democracy, rather than specific political entities.”

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DAILY POST gathered that the protesters, mainly youths and students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), used heavy logs, vehicles, and burning tires to block movement on both sides of the highway.

They also set bonfires on the expressway.

The development, it was gathered, resulted in heavy gridlock as motorists and commuters were left stranded, forcing passengers within the Benin metropolis to leave their vehicles and trek to their destinations.

It was learnt that thousands of travelers, including commercial transporters and private car owners, were trapped, with some reportedly turning back to find alternative routes.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “No to petrol hike,” “No to bad roads,” and “APC must go,” among others.

They said they were protesting against several issues, ranging from the hike in petrol prices, epileptic power supply, poor state of roads, and high cost of food items.

They, however, demanded urgent government intervention to address rising food prices, unemployment, and the high cost of living in the country.

In a viral video, a protester said the demonstration was to express their displeasure over the economic hardship in the country.

“There is hardship in this country, and the governments are doing nothing about it.

“We are tired of the promises. Our parents are suffering, students are starving, and the road is the only place they will hear us.

“The protest is to draw the attention of the government to our plight. We are calling on the government at all levels to act quickly before things get out of hand,” he said.

Some observers described the protest as a reflection of the growing frustration among young Nigerians.

They noted that the hardship in the country is biting harder and that many young people feel political leaders are not connecting enough with their daily realities.

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The development was disclosed in a statement by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, who noted that the move forms part of a strategy to address overcrowding and improve correctional infrastructure.

“It would be recalled that a few months ago, in December 2025, ninety-one inmates were also released from the custodial centres,” Pedro said.

He explained that the latest action was taken under the governor’s constitutional powers.

“The decision to release inmates who were yet to complete their terms was taken pursuant to the power of prerogative of mercy, conferred on the Governor under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he stated.

Pedro further disclosed that the beneficiaries were selected based on recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“The released inmates were duly recommended by the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy in accordance with established legal and administrative guidelines,” he added.

He emphasised that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to justice sector reforms and improved conditions in correctional facilities.

“This exercise reflects the State Government’s commitment to upholding justice, fairness and the rule of law, alongside improving conditions within correctional centres by proactively addressing the challenges of overcrowding,” he said.

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Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, ACF Publicity Secretary, said in a statement, “Members and officials of ACF are free to hold personal political beliefs and affiliations, but they do not represent the ACF in such capacities.”

He explained that the attention of the forum had been drawn to a statement issued by someone purported to be speaking for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claiming that the ACF was represented at a meeting held in Ilesha, Osun State, on March 31, 2026, to endorse their party and candidate.

According to Muhammad-Baba, “We wish to clarify that Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, Mutawallen Gombe, the Secretary General of the ACF attended the meeting at the invitation of Afenifere to witness their General Meeting in Ilesha to further improve the relationship between the socio-cultural groups – ACF, Afenifere, and Northern Elders Forum – to discuss ways to move the country forward.

“He was, therefore, at the meeting as a representative of ACF, as an observer. He was there specifically to meet with Afenifere to discuss cooperation among the regional groups.”

He stated, “ACF therefore hereby distance itself from the announcement made by the agent of the SDP” and emphasised that “the ACF name and reputation should not be used to imply endorsement of any partisan political interest or, for that matter, representation of the organisation.”

It urged the general public to disregard the statement and to understand that the ACF remains committed to its principles and objectives, uninfluenced by partisan politics.

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