Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of taking over his residences and offices without presenting a court order.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Bello Doka, his media
aide, Malami alleged that EFCC operatives, in the company of armed security
personnel, on Monday morning “forcefully invaded and took over residences and
offices” linked to him.
The former AGF said two people were taken into “forceful
custody” by officials of the anti-graft agency during the “invasion”.
Malami said the interim forfeiture order relied upon by the
EFCC had expired, adding that the order “granted on January 6, 2026, was
expressly time-bound for a period of 14 days”.
He added that the EFCC operatives did not present a “lawful
court order authorising their actions” when they were challenged.
“The matter is still pending before the court. The case
instituted by the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, over by
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026), remains ongoing,” the
statement reads.
“The Honourable Court has not made any final determination
on the issues in dispute, and no order authorizing the invasion and marking of
the premises was argued and granted.
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‘The interim forfeiture order relied upon by the EFCC has
elapsed. The ex parte order granted on January 6, 2026 was expressly time-bound
for a period of 14 days, which had already elapsed. That order has since lapsed
and cannot, under any stretch of the law, justify the EFCC’s actions today.
“No valid court order was presented. At the time of the
invasion, EFCC operatives were requested to produce a lawful court order
authorising their actions. They failed, refused, and/or neglected to present
any such order, underscoring the illegality of their conduct.
“Forceful takeover and marking of properties. The EFCC
proceeded, in a show of force, to unlawfully occupy, mark, and assert control
over Malami’s houses and offices, in clear violation of due process and
established legal procedures.”
In January, a federal high court in Abuja ordered the
interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful
activities allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and
Abiru Rahman Malami.
The court directed the EFCC to publish the interim
forfeiture order in a national daily newspaper, inviting any individual or
organisation with an interest in the assets to appear before the court within
14 days and show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made.
In February, Malami filed an application challenging the
interim forfeiture of the properties linked to him.
The former AGF is standing trial on two separate criminal
charges filed by the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Malami was recently released from custody after he was
granted bail in the alleged terrorism case filed by the DSS.
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