Malami Faults EFCC Over Alleged Unlawful Seizure of Properties
The immediate past Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has strongly criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he described as the unlawful and unilateral seizure of his properties in Abuja.
Malami, who alongside members of his family was arraigned last year on charges of alleged money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, argued that the EFCC acted without a valid court order and usurped judicial functions by forcefully evicting his family from their Maitama residence.
The EFCC’s action is said to be anchored on an interim forfeiture order granted by Justice Joyce Abdumalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in respect of 57 properties allegedly acquired with illicit funds. Malami, however, maintained that the order did not authorise immediate eviction or takeover of the premises. He noted that his application challenging the forfeiture is pending before the court, with hearing fixed for April 20, 2026.
According to him, the EFCC, being a party to the litigation, cannot unilaterally execute court orders, as enforcement remains the exclusive function of court bailiffs and sheriffs. He described the agency’s action as “legally and judiciously unprecedented in Nigerian history,” stressing that such steps undermine the authority of the judiciary.
Malami insisted that interim forfeiture orders have never traditionally been used to justify forceful eviction of litigants, and warned that the EFCC’s conduct sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law.
