Abubakar Malami (SAN), the former Attorney-General of the Federation, confirmed on Tuesday that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives forcefully removed him and his family from their Abuja home.
He noted that this action occurred despite active court proceedings regarding the property.
During a press conference, Malami revealed that EFCC officials first arrived on Monday and returned Tuesday with armed reinforcements to finalize the takeover.
Describing the scene, he stated, “Yesterday, without further recourse to the court, without seeking 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 to effect a forceful eviction.”
He added that the agents “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.”
The property in question is his family home at No. 2, Koronakh Close, Maitama, Abuja. Malami explained that while an interim forfeiture order was granted on January 6, 2026, it did not grant permission for an immediate takeover.
He pointed out, “The most interesting part of the order was that there was no clear directive or instruction… that the premises would be taken over forthwith or perhaps is being sold, or perhaps evicting the occupants.”
The former AGF, whose case is adjourned until April 20, 2026, argued that the commission should have shown restraint.
He remarked, “It is only natural, logical and judicial that no party is expected to overreach by taking unilateral steps that would place a court in a situation of purposelessness.”
Malami further criticized the EFCC for bypassing the proper legal channels, insisting that “Execution of court orders and processes is an exclusive function of court bailiffs and sheriffs… and is not in any way the prerogative of a party to the litigation.” He characterized the incident as “legally and judicially unprecedented in the Nigerian legal system.”
The former minister also suggested there might be political motives behind the move, as it happened shortly after his release from detention during a time of high public support.
He noted, “The fact that these things happen at a time when I was receiving tremendous goodwill messages… can certainly be a basis for people to insinuate perhaps political persecution.”
Though he stopped short of calling it a vendetta due to the pending case, he confirmed he would seek legal redress, stating, “For me, the steps are legal, legitimate and judicial, and we will certainly embark on the judicial process to do the needful.”
Witnesses reported that the operation was led by Folarin Dare, with operatives arriving in five buses and barricading the road in their signature red and black jackets.
