EFCC Takes Over Ex-AGF Malami’s Abuja Residences Following Forfeiture Order
Abuja Property Clampdown: EFCC Enforces Forfeiture Order Against Malami
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have moved to seal multiple residential properties in Abuja linked to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as part of an ongoing asset recovery investigation. The enforcement action, which took place on March 23, 2026, has triggered a legal dispute over the validity of the court order backing the operation.
EFCC Enforces Forfeiture Order on Abuja Properties
EFCC operatives were seen marking and restricting access to several high-end properties located in Maitama, Abuja, citing an interim forfeiture order issued by a Federal High Court. The agency maintains that the properties are under investigation and subject to legal seizure as part of a broader anti-corruption probe.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the EFCC to recover assets suspected to be linked to financial misconduct. The commission, established in 2003 to combat economic and financial crimes, has intensified enforcement actions in recent months.
/ You Might Also Like /
Malami Challenges Legality of EFCC Action
Malami publicly opposed the enforcement, arguing that the court order cited by the EFCC had expired and could not be lawfully executed. He stated that the original interim forfeiture order, reportedly issued in January 2026, provided a 14-day window for response, which he claims has already been exercised.
During the confrontation, Malami questioned the authority of the operatives to mark his properties, insisting that the matter remains pending before the court. He indicated his intention to challenge the action legally, stating that the dispute would be resolved through judicial processes.
Legal analysts have noted that enforcement of an expired court order could raise procedural concerns, emphasising that such orders typically require renewal before execution.
Background: Expanding Investigation into Alleged Assets
The development follows earlier court actions ordering the interim forfeiture of multiple properties allegedly linked to Malami and his associates. Reports indicate that the portfolio under scrutiny includes dozens of assets valued in the hundreds of billions of naira.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has faced several investigations and legal challenges in recent months, including allegations related to financial misconduct. He has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that his assets were lawfully acquired.
Implications for Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Drive
The confrontation underscores ongoing tensions between enforcement agencies and high-profile political figures in Nigeria’s anti-corruption landscape. For policymakers and investors, the case highlights both the increasing assertiveness of enforcement institutions and the procedural complexities surrounding asset recovery.
The outcome of the legal dispute will likely shape the credibility and effectiveness of asset forfeiture processes, particularly in high-value real estate cases within Abuja’s premium property market.
The EFCC’s action marks a significant escalation in its investigation into assets linked to Malami. However, the final determination will depend on judicial interpretation of the forfeiture order and due process compliance.
As the case progresses through the courts, it will serve as a critical test of Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for combating corruption and enforcing asset recovery at the highest levels of public office.
READ MORE
