Former AGF Abubakar Malami Tells Court He Earned N374m In Salaries, N10.17bn From Businesses And N958m As Gifts Amid 57-Property Seizure Controversy

Ex-Justice Minister Discloses Income Sources As He Seeks To Vacate Interim Court Order Authorising Asset Forfeiture

By Wapcodehub9ja LIVE News Correspondent Reporting Live From Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

Former Attorney-General Of The Federation (AGF) And Minister Of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Has Informed A Federal Court In Abuja That He Legally Earned ₦374 Million In Salaries, ₦10.17 Billion From Private Business Ventures, And ₦958 Million As Gifts From Personal Friends. The Disclosure Comes As Malami Seeks To Vacate An Interim Court Order That Authorised The Seizure Of 57 Properties Allegedly Linked To Him.

Malami Made The Revelations While Presenting Documents Before The Court, Arguing That His Earnings Were Accumulated Over Years Through Legitimate Means. He Explained That The Income From Private Businesses Was Derived From Ventures He Established Both Before And During His Tenure In Public Office, While The Gifts Were Voluntary Contributions From Longstanding Personal Associates And Friends.

The Interim Order, Which Triggered The Seizure Of Malami’s Properties, Was Initially Granted Following An Application By Anti-Corruption Authorities Investigating The Origin And Ownership Of The Assets. Malami Argued That The Order Was Issued Without Giving Him Sufficient Opportunity To Respond To Allegations, Urging The Court To Consider The Legitimacy Of His Income And Assets Before Taking Irreversible Action.

In His Submission, The Former AGF Emphasised That All Funds Received Were Lawful And Transparent, Insisting That None Of The Amounts Disclosed Were Proceeds Of Illegal Activity. He Maintained That The Gifts Were Personal And Voluntary, And Therefore Not Subject To Forfeiture Under The Law.

Legal Experts Note That The Case Is Part Of Broader National Efforts To Recover Assets Suspected To Have Been Acquired Unlawfully By Public Officials. While Asset Recovery Remains An Important Tool In The Fight Against Corruption, The Matter Also Highlights The Need To Balance Investigative Powers With The Rights Of Individuals Under Scrutiny.

Observers Believe The Outcome Of The Case Could Set Important Precedents Regarding Interim Asset Forfeiture Orders In Nigeria, Particularly In Situations Where Individuals Under Investigation Provide Evidence Of Lawful Earnings. The Court’s Eventual Decision Will Likely Influence Future Legal Approaches To Similar Disputes Between Anti-Corruption Agencies And Public Officials.

The Development Also Raises Broader Questions About Transparency, Accountability, And The Reporting Of Public Officials’ Income In Nigeria. Analysts Say That While Investigations Into Asset Ownership Are Necessary, Due Process Must Be Followed To Ensure Fairness And Protect Constitutional Rights.

The Court Has Adjourned Proceedings To A Later Date To Allow All Parties, Including The Anti-Corruption Authorities, To Submit Detailed Responses To Malami’s Application. Legal Observers Are Closely Watching The Case, Noting That It Could Have Ripple Effects On Both Ongoing And Future Asset Recovery Efforts In The Country.

Malami’s Legal Team Expressed Confidence That The Court Will Take Into Account The Documented Evidence Of His Income Sources, Highlighting That The Former AGF Is Prepared To Cooperate Fully With Investigators To Resolve Any Discrepancies, While Ensuring His Constitutional Rights Are Upheld..