The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, held that the properties, allegedly acquired with proceeds of crime, should be permanently seized by the federal government.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered immediate forfeiture of 48 properties linked to popular and influential former minister of late Muhammadu Buhari.

The judge, ruling on Mr Malami and others' objection to EFCC's request for an order of final fofeiture, held that the issue before the court was not "who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties."

The judge, ruling on Mr Malami and others' objection to EFCC's request for an order of final fofeiture, held that the issue before the court was not "who owns the property, but how legitimate are the funds used to acquire the properties."

Justice James Omotosho said this when he ruled on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).