A 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 to take over his Abuja residence despite a pending court challenge.
PUNCH Online reports that the EFCC on Monday marked the former AGF’s residence to enforce an interim forfeiture order on the property located at No. 2 Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, told our correspondent that the action was a routine law enforcement step aimed at notifying the public of the property’s status following the forfeiture order.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday at his chambers in Wuse 2, Abuja, Malami alleged that the commission attempted to take possession of the residence even though criminal proceedings involving him were still ongoing 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 the eviction of occupants.
He said, “There was an attempt yesterday by the EFCC, which indeed was a co-litigant, in respect of pending criminal proceedings before the Federal High Court against my person. Arising from that criminal proceeding, there was an order dated the 6th day of January 2026, an interim order of forfeiture that was granted.
“But the most interesting part of that order, was that there were no clear directives or instructions… that the premises would be taken over forthwith or perhaps be sold, or perhaps evicting the occupants,” he said.
Malami disclosed that he had already filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking to set aside the forfeiture order, with the matter scheduled for hearing on April 20, 2026.
He maintained that the EFCC ought not to have taken enforcement actions while the matter was still before the court.
He said, “Conventionally and traditionally… it is only natural, logical, legal and judicial that no party is expected to overreach by way of taking unilateral steps that would place a court in a situation of helplessness,” accusing the commission of attempting to evict his family without due process.
He added, “Unfortunately, yesterday, without further recourse to the court, without seeking for an order to seal my properties, without seeking an order to evict my family members and me from the property, without seeking a court order for the appointment of a receiver manager, the EFCC came yesterday to effect forceful eviction.”
According to him, the commission returned to the residence on Tuesday with additional armed personnel.
He said, “They were unable to conclude the process yesterday and reinforced this morning with a lot of personnel that are armed and indeed forcefully took over possession of my family residence and the family members… taken out of possession,” the former AGF added.
Malami further argued that the execution of court orders is strictly the responsibility of court officials.
He said, “Executions of the court orders and processes are exclusive functions of the court bailiffs… and are not in any way… the prerogatives of a party to the litigation.
“My take is what is unfolding on the part of EFCC is indeed steps that are extrajudicial, that are unprecedented, that are unlawful, that are illegitimate and that are now intended apparently to cause a situation of helplessness on the part of the court which had already fixed the hearing of the application relating to these properties to a certain date which is fixed for 20th day of April, 2026.”
The former AGF also suggested that the timing of the action could fuel suspicions of political motives, noting that it followed his recent release from detention and visits from political associates.
He said, “The fact that these things happen at a time when I was receiving tremendous goodwill messages, solidarity visits and courtesies, can certainly be a basis for people to insinuate… political persecutions.”
However, he declined to directly accuse anyone of political vendetta because the matter is currently before the court, adding that he would pursue only steps that “are legal, legitimate and judicial.”
Malami also called on the media to report the situation objectively and urged authorities to allow due process to prevail.
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