Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have marked properties in Abuja linked to Abubakar Malami for forfeiture.
The action took place hours after Atiku Abubakar visited Malami’s residence.
EFCC operatives, accompanied by armed security personnel, carried out the exercise on Monday morning but were confronted by the former minister and individuals at the scene.
In a video circulating on social media, Malami was seen asking an EFCC official to present the court order authorising the marking and takeover of his residence.
The official responded that the anti-graft agency had the authority to mark the property as it was under forfeiture proceedings. However, Malami countered that the forfeiture order had expired and again demanded proof of authorisation.
One of the properties was marked with the inscription, “Restrained order EFCC keep off”.
Meanwhile, Malami has accused the anti-graft agency of taking over his residences and offices without presenting a valid court order.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, the former attorney-general alleged that EFCC operatives, accompanied by armed security personnel, on Monday morning “forcefully invaded and took over residences and offices” linked to him.
Malami further claimed that two individuals were taken into “forceful custody” during the operation.
He argued that the interim forfeiture order cited by the EFCC had already expired, noting that the order “granted on January 6, 2026, was expressly time-bound for a period of 14 days”.
According to the statement, EFCC officials failed to present any “lawful court order authorising their actions” when challenged.
“The matter is still pending before the court. The case instituted by the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026), remains ongoing,” the statement reads.
“The Honourable Court has not made any final determination on the issues in dispute, and no order authorizing the invasion and marking of the premises was argued and granted.
‘The interim forfeiture order relied upon by the EFCC has elapsed. The ex parte order granted on January 6, 2026 was expressly time-bound for a period of 14 days, which had already elapsed. That order has since lapsed and cannot, under any stretch of the law, justify the EFCC’s actions today.
“No valid court order was presented. At the time of the invasion, EFCC operatives were requested to produce a lawful court order authorising their actions. They failed, refused, and/or neglected to present any such order, underscoring the illegality of their conduct.
“Forceful takeover and marking of properties. The EFCC proceeded, in a show of force, to unlawfully occupy, mark, and assert control over Malami’s houses and offices, in clear violation of due process and established legal procedures.”
In January, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami.
The court also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be granted.
In February, Malami challenged the interim forfeiture by filing an application in court.
The former AGF is currently facing two separate criminal charges.
Last week, he was released from custody after being granted bail by a court.
On February 27, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, in the sum of N200 million each over alleged terrorism-related offences.
Both were arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge involving alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
The Department of State Services (DSS) accused the former minister of failing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to his office during his tenure.
The EFCC had also arraigned Malami, his son, and his wife over allegations of money laundering amounting to N8,713,923,759.49.
