Presiding Judge Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its lawyer Ekele Iheanacho.
A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Presiding Judge Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its lawyer Ekele Iheanacho.
The judge held that the properties, valued at several billions of naira, are reasonably suspected to have been acquired through illicit means and should be temporarily forfeited to the federal government. 
Malami is currently facing a 16‑count money laundering charge brought by the EFCC, which alleges he and co‑defendants conspired to launder proceeds of unlawful activity worth billions of naira. 
On Wednesday, Justice Nwite also granted bail to Malami, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties required for each defendant.
The sureties must own landed property in high‑brow districts of Abuja, and the defendants must deposit their travel documents with the court and obtain permission before leaving the country.
Hearing in the case has been adjourned to February 17 for trial. 
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