Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has mounted a bold legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission regarding the planned seizure of numerous properties linked to him. In a detailed affidavit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami firmly asserts that all the assets in question were legitimately acquired through decades of dedicated legal practice, successful business ventures, and properly declared sources of income. He maintains that none of the properties represent proceeds of any unlawful activity.
The dispute stems from an interim forfeiture order granted by the court in January 2026, which temporarily placed over 50 properties, including houses, hotels, schools, factories, and plots of land across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi, under the control of the anti-graft agency. Valued at substantial amounts, these assets have become the center of a high-profile legal battle.
The EFCC has since moved to convert the interim order into a permanent forfeiture, arguing that the properties are reasonably suspected to be derived from illicit activities. However, Malami and his legal team have countered strongly, describing the action as an overreach and insisting that the commission has not provided sufficient evidence to link the assets to any crime.
In his court filing, Malami emphasized that the properties were transparently acquired and duly declared during his time in public service. He further accused the EFCC of overstepping boundaries in some instances, including reports of forceful takeovers and evictions carried out without proper adherence to due process. According to him, such moves raise serious questions about the procedure followed by the agency. Legal observers note that the case could set an important precedent on the limits of the EFCC’s powers in non-conviction-based asset forfeiture matters, especially when involving high-profile individuals.
The development has sparked widespread interest across Nigeria, with many watching closely to see how the court will balance the fight against corruption with the protection of individual property rights. Malami’s latest move demonstrates his determination to defend his integrity and reclaim what he describes as lawfully earned assets. As the matter progresses through the judicial process, it continues to highlight the ongoing tension between anti-graft efforts and the principles of fair hearing and evidence-based action.
