The former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of taking over his residences and offices without presenting a valid court order.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami alleged that EFCC operatives, accompanied by armed security personnel, “forcefully invaded and took over residences and offices” linked to him on Monday morning.
He further claimed that two individuals were taken into “forceful custody” during the operation.
Malami 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”.
He maintained that the operatives failed to provide a “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 read.
“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 directed the EFCC to publish the interim order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to appear within 14 days and show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be granted.
Malami subsequently challenged the order in February.
He is currently facing two separate criminal charges filed by the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS), and was recently granted bail in a terrorism-related case instituted by the DSS.