Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of unlawfully attempting to evict his family from his Abuja residence despite a pending court case.
The controversy follows the EFCC’s move to mark Malami’s property located in Maitama, Abuja, in line with an interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the Federal High Court. The anti-graft agency said the action was a standard procedure to notify the public of the property’s legal status.
However, speaking in Abuja, Malami described the development as an abuse of process, insisting that the January 6, 2026 interim forfeiture order did not authorise the commission to take possession of the property or evict occupants.
He argued that enforcement steps taken while the matter remains before the court undermine due process and could interfere with judicial proceedings. According to him, he has already filed an application seeking to set aside the forfeiture order, with a hearing scheduled for April 20, 2026.
Malami further alleged that EFCC operatives, accompanied by armed personnel, returned to the residence and forcefully took control of the property after an initial attempt the previous day failed.
He maintained that the execution of court orders lies strictly with court-appointed bailiffs and not with parties involved in litigation, describing the commission’s actions as extrajudicial and legally questionable.
Read also:
- EFCC moves to take over Malami’s Abuja residence amid ongoing probe
- EFCC’s raid on my properties politically motivated, Malami alleges
- Alleged N8.7bn fraud: EFCC links Malami’s family to Bank transactions
The former justice minister also raised concerns over the timing of the incident, suggesting it could give rise to perceptions of political pressure, particularly following recent visits by political associates after his release from detention. He, however, stopped short of making direct allegations, noting that the matter is already before the court.
The EFCC has defended its actions, stating that the marking of the property was part of routine enforcement of a valid court order, though it has not publicly addressed claims of forced eviction.
The dispute sets the stage for a legal showdown that could test the limits of asset forfeiture enforcement and due process in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
Malami urged the media and the public to allow the judicial process to run its course, insisting that all parties must operate within the bounds of the law.
