Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawful conduct following the marking of properties allegedly linked to him in Abuja.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami alleged that EFCC operatives, accompanied by armed security personnel, invaded some of his buildings and offices on Monday without proper legal authorization. He further claimed that two individuals were forcefully taken into custody during the operation.
The former AGF maintained that the interim forfeiture order relied upon by the anti-graft agency had expired. He noted that the order, granted on January 6, 2026, was time-bound for 14 days and had since lapsed.
Malami also argued that no valid court order was presented to justify the EFCC’s actions. According to him, the matter remains pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
“The court has not made any final determination on the issues in dispute, and no order authorising the invasion and marking of the premises was granted,” the statement said, adding that EFCC operatives failed to produce any lawful authorization when requested.
He described the agency’s actions as a violation of due process, alleging that officials proceeded to occupy and mark his properties despite lacking legal backing.
The controversy follows a January ruling by the Federal High Court ordering the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons. The court had directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
In February, Malami challenged the forfeiture order, with the case still pending before the court.
The former AGF is also facing two separate criminal charges filed by the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS). He was recently granted bail after being detained over an alleged terrorism-related case instituted by the DSS.
