Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday condemned what he described as an “extrajudicial, unlawful and illegitimate” attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize his Abuja residence despite a pending court challenge.
LEADING REPORTERS reports that the EFCC on Monday moved to enforce an interim forfeiture order on Malami’s property at No. 2 Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the action was a routine step to notify the public of the property’s status following the order.
Speaking to journalists at his chambers in Wuse 2, Abuja, Malami alleged that the commission attempted to take possession of the residence even as criminal proceedings involving him continue before the Federal High Court.
He noted that while the court granted an interim forfeiture order on January 6, 2026, the ruling did not authorise immediate possession of the property or eviction of its occupants.
“There was an attempt yesterday by the EFCC, which is a co-litigant in my ongoing criminal proceedings. The order of January 6, 2026, granted an interim forfeiture, but it contained no instructions for immediate takeover, sale, or eviction,” Malami said.
Malami added that he has already filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking to set aside the forfeiture order, with a hearing scheduled for April 20, 2026. He argued that the EFCC should not have acted while the matter is still before the court.
“Conventionally and legally, no party is expected to overreach by taking unilateral steps that place the court in a helpless position,” he said, accusing the commission of attempting to evict his family without due process.
He further claimed that EFCC operatives returned on Tuesday with additional armed personnel, forcibly taking possession of the property and removing his family from it.
Malami emphasised that execution of court orders is the exclusive function of court officials, stating, “What EFCC is doing is extrajudicial, unprecedented, unlawful, and illegitimate, apparently intended to undermine the court, which has already fixed April 20 for the hearing.
He also suggested that the timing of the action could raise suspicions of political motives, given it followed his recent release from detention and visits from political associates. However, he declined to directly accuse anyone, saying he would pursue only legal and judicial remedies.
Malami called on the media to report the situation objectively and urged authorities to allow due process to prevail.
