Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), says operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence despite an ongoing legal battle over the property.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Malami said EFCC officials first stormed his home on Monday, then returned the following day with heavily armed personnel to complete the takeover.
“Without obtaining any court order to seal or take possession of the property, the EFCC came for a forceful eviction,” he said, adding that the operatives eventually seized the residence located at No. 2 Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Malami explained that although the EFCC secured an interim forfeiture order on January 6, 2026, the directive did not authorise eviction or immediate takeover of the house.
He noted that he had already filed a challenge to the order, with the case adjourned to April 20, 2026.
“With both parties before the court, it is only right for the EFCC to exercise restraint instead of taking steps that could undermine judicial proceedings,” he said.
He argued that only court bailiffs and sheriffs are empowered to enforce court orders—not litigants.
Describing the EFCC’s action as “unlawful, unprecedented and outside due process,” Malami alleged that the agency neither obtained a specific eviction order nor involved court officials in the operation.
He also suggested the possibility of political motives, noting that the eviction came shortly after his release from detention and at a time he was receiving heightened political attention. However, he declined to categorically call it a vendetta due to the pending court case.
Malami stated he would pursue legal steps to challenge the takeover.
Earlier on Tuesday the EFCC operatives, led by Folarin Dare, arrived at the Maitama property in about five buses, armed and wearing the agency’s red and black jackets, before blocking the road leading to the residence.
Efforts to reach Malami’s lawyer, J.B. Daudu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
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