Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have identified and marked several properties in Abuja linked to Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, as part of forfeiture proceedings.
The action took place on Monday morning and involved EFCC officials supported by armed security personnel. The exercise happened only hours after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar paid a visit to Malami’s residence.
During the operation, Malami and some individuals around him questioned the EFCC team. In a video shared online, the former minister confronted an official and demanded proof of legal backing for the action. He asked the officer to present a court order authorising the marking and takeover of his residence.
The official responded that the agency had the authority to act because the property was under forfeiture. Malami disagreed with the claim. He argued that the forfeiture order had expired and insisted on seeing the document supporting the move.
One of the affected buildings was inscribed with the words, “Restrained order EFCC keep off”.
Earlier in January, a federal high court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties believed to be proceeds of illegal activities allegedly connected to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami.
The court directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper. It invited interested parties to appear within 14 days to explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
In February, Malami challenged the interim forfeiture order in court.
The former AGF is also facing trial in separate criminal cases. A court granted him bail last week, leading to his release from custody.
On February 27, a federal high court in Abuja admitted Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, to bail in the sum of N200 million each over alleged terrorism-related offences.
They were first arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge that includes allegations of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The Department of State Services accused Malami of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers. The agency claimed that case files were sent to his office during his time as attorney-general but were not acted upon.
The EFCC has also brought charges against Malami, his son, and his wife over alleged money laundering amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.
