Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has taken legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), contesting the interim forfeiture of several of his properties and denying allegations that they were acquired through illicit means.
In an affidavit filed before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja, Malami maintained that the assets listed in a January 2026 forfeiture order were lawfully obtained through decades of legal practice, investments, and declared income.
The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order over the properties, citing suspicions that they were linked to proceeds of crime. However, Malami argued that the commission failed to present sufficient evidence connecting any of the assets to criminal activity, describing the claims as speculative.
“There is no document before the court showing these properties were acquired with proceeds of crime,” he stated.
As part of his defence, Malami accused the EFCC of inflating the value of the assets to bolster its case. He claimed that properties originally purchased for hundreds of millions of naira were presented as being worth billions. According to him, independent valuations put the properties at significantly lower figures.
The former minister explained that his wealth was built over more than 30 years, citing income from legal practice, as well as investments in hospitality, agriculture, and education. He also listed loans from commercial banks, proceeds from asset sales, and earnings from book launches and gifts as part of his financial sources.
Malami added that all his assets and income had been duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in line with legal requirements.
Beyond disputing the forfeiture, he accused the EFCC of exceeding its authority, alleging that operatives seized properties without a final court order, evicted family members, and confiscated documents. He described the actions as extrajudicial and a violation of due process.
The case, which is also tied to an ongoing criminal charge against him, is expected to test the limits of the EFCC’s asset forfeiture powers and adherence to legal procedures.
Malami is asking the court to nullify the interim forfeiture order, insisting that the properties are legitimate and unconnected to any unlawful activity. The court will determine whether the assets should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to him.
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