The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked an Abuja property associated with former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), following a valid interim forfeiture order issued by a Federal High Court.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale explained that the marking of the property is a routine law enforcement procedure aimed at notifying the public of its status under the court order. “There is nothing illegal in this. When a court grants an interim forfeiture, the agency can attach or mark the property to caution the public,” Oyewale said. He also clarified that no raid took place, stressing that operatives were only enforcing the court order.
The action followed a viral video showing Malami questioning EFCC operatives about the legality of marking his house. Malami argued that the court order presented was not specific to his property and accused the commission of attempting to embarrass him, saying, “Where is your court order? You want to move nationwide to embarrass me? Go ahead, we will meet in court.” EFCC operatives maintained that marking a property under forfeiture is within their legal rights.
The marking occurred shortly after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited Malami in a show of solidarity. Atiku also called for the release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other political detainees, warning against detaining individuals for holding different political views.
Atiku criticised the EFCC’s action as politically motivated, alleging state-sponsored intimidation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He described it as an abuse of power, asserting that targeting figures like Malami and El-Rufai is intended to coerce opposition leaders to align with the ruling party.
The interim forfeiture order, issued in January, covers 57 properties linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru Rahman Malami. The court also directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, allowing any interested party 14 days to contest the forfeiture. Malami has challenged the order in court and is also facing allegations of money laundering totaling over N8.7 billion.
Malami, who defected to the African Democratic Congress in July 2025, served as AGF from 2015 until 2023.
