The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday reserved ruling in an application filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over the forfeiture of 57 properties linked to alleged unlawful activities.
A three member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed heard arguments from both parties before announcing that it would communicate the ruling date later.
Malami, through his lawyer, Joseph Daudu, challenged an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in the ongoing forfeiture proceedings initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
During the hearing, Daudu asked the appellate court to grant an extension of time for Malami to seek leave to appeal and file the appeal. He explained that court officials delayed the release of the certified ruling, which affected the filing process.
In addition, Daudu argued that current court rules require applicants to attach the ruling they intend to challenge in interlocutory appeals. According to him, anyone who files without the ruling risks rendering the application incompetent.
The senior advocate also criticized the EFCC’s reliance on fast track practice directions for corruption cases. He insisted that the anti-graft agency failed to raise the issue in its counter-affidavit and could not introduce it during oral submissions.
Furthermore, Daudu maintained that the law still permits interlocutory appeals, especially in cases involving jurisdictional disputes.
However, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, opposed the application and urged the court to dismiss it. He argued that the case falls under special rules guiding corruption-related matters and claimed the properties were acquired unlawfully while Malami served as AGF.
Okutepa also argued that the substantive case should proceed without unnecessary delays.
