Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of illegally taking over his properties without presenting a valid court order.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami alleged that EFCC operatives, accompanied by armed security personnel, forcefully entered and took control of his residences and offices on Monday morning. He also claimed that two individuals were taken into custody during the operation.
Malami argued that the interim forfeiture order cited by the EFCC had already expired. According to him, the order, which was granted on January 6, 2026, was only valid for 14 days and had since lapsed.
He further maintained that the case is still ongoing in court and no final judgment has been delivered. The matter is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
“The court has not made any final decision on the matter, and no order authorising the invasion or marking of the properties was granted,” the statement said.
Malami also insisted that EFCC officials failed to provide any valid court order when asked during the operation, describing their actions as a violation of due process.
He accused the agency of unlawfully occupying and marking his properties, calling it an abuse of legal procedures and an attempt to assert control without proper authorisation.
The controversy stems from a January court order that approved the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami and his two sons, over suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. The court had directed that any interested parties appear within 14 days to show why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
In February, Malami challenged the forfeiture in court, where the case remains unresolved.
The former AGF is also facing separate charges filed by both the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS). He was recently granted bail in a terrorism-related case brought by the DSS.
