Malami Says EFCC’s Sealing Of His Maitama Home Illegal

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has condemned the sealing of his  Maitama home by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .

The former AGF said operatives of the anti-graft agency arrived at his residence early Tuesday morning to enforce a forfeiture order and assume control of the property.

The EFCC has, however, confirmed that its operatives  carried out a lawful court order firmly grounded in judicial authority.

The EFCC said the operation  was  in compliance with a valid court-issued forfeiture order and was  executed in line with the provisions of Section 5 of the EFCC Act, which empowers the agency to investigate economic and financial crimes and take necessary enforcement steps, including the recovery of assets deemed to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Speaking on Tuesday after  the  operatives sealed his Maitama residence at No. 2 Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street, Malami said the anti-graft agency acted outside the law by taking over his property despite ongoing court proceedings.

“Execution of court orders and processes is the exclusive function of court bailiffs, court sheriffs, and judicial officers, and is not in any way the prerogative of a party to the litigation,” he said.

Malami noted that the EFCC was currently a party in a case before the Federal High Court regarding an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026.

In a motion on notice, Malami, through his counsel Joseph Daudu, had already filed an application challenging the order, alleging that the EFCC obtained it through suppression of material facts and misrepresentation.

He urged the court to dismiss the suit to prevent “conflicting outcomes” and “duplicative litigation,” arguing that the proceedings violate his right to property, his presumption of innocence, and his right to family life. The court has fixed April 20 for the hearing of the application.

“Given the EFCC’s act of securing the order and my own involvement in joining issues, it is only natural, logical, legal, and judicial that no party should overreach,” Malami said.