Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the sealing of his Abuja residence, describing the action as illegal.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Tuesday after EFCC operatives took over his Maitama residence located at No. 2 Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street, Malami alleged that the commission acted outside its mandate, especially as the matter is still before the court. He added that the agency overstepped by attempting to enforce what he said are strictly judicial responsibilities.
“Executions of court orders and processes are exclusive functions of court bailiffs, court sheriffs and judicial processes and are not in any way… the prerogative of a party to the litigation,” he said.
The dispute stems from an interim forfeiture order reportedly granted by a Federal High Court on January 6, 2026, in a case involving Malami and the EFCC. However, the former minister, through his counsel, Joseph Daudu, has filed a motion challenging the order, alleging that it was obtained through suppression of material facts and misrepresentation.
In his application, Malami urged the court to strike out the suit to avoid conflicting outcomes and duplicative litigation, maintaining that the proceedings infringe on his constitutional rights, including his right to property, presumption of innocence, and family life. The court has scheduled April 20 to hear the matter.
“By the act of securing the order by the EFCC and by the act of joining issues on my part… it is only natural, logical, legal and judicial that no party is expected to overreach,” Malami said.
“Without seeking for an order to seal my properties, without seeking for an order to evict me and my family members… the EFCC came… to effect forceful eviction.”
He described the commission’s actions as “extrajudicial”, “unlawful” and “unprecedented in the Nigerian legal system”, stressing that even where a court order exists, its enforcement does not fall within the powers of a litigant such as the EFCC.
“Even if indeed, there was express directives of the court to seal the property or evict my person and my family members from the property or perhaps to appoint a receiver-manager, the implementation and execution of those processes are judicial functions and not functions of a litigant,” he said.
“When a matter is pending before a court, you cannot unilaterally take steps that will render the court helpless.”
Malami further revealed that EFCC operatives initially attempted to enforce the takeover on Monday but returned on Tuesday with armed reinforcement, eventually taking possession of the residence.
“They reinforced this morning with a lot of personnel that are armed and indeed forcefully take over possession of my family residence,” he said.
He also hinted that the timing of the enforcement raises concerns about possible political motives.
The former AGF is currently facing separate criminal trials instituted by both EFCC and Department of State Services (DSS), adding another layer of complexity to the legal battle over the property.
