The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked a property in Abuja linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, following an interim forfeiture order granted by a court.
The agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, explained that the move is part of standard enforcement procedures after a court authorises the forfeiture of assets.
“There is nothing illegal in the matter. The attachment or marking of property that is on a forfeiture order is a normal law enforcement action when the court has granted an interim forfeiture,” Oyewale said.
He clarified that such markings are intended to notify the public about the legal status of the property.
“What I mean by attachment of property is the normal marking of the property to caution members of the public that the property so marked is a forfeited property, whether in interim or final forfeiture.
“So when there is a forfeiture order by the court, the enforcement agency can go ahead and make markings,” he added.
Oyewale also dismissed claims that EFCC operatives raided the premises, insisting that their actions were strictly in line with the court directive.
“The commission did not go there to raid anywhere. We are not involved in any such act. So there is nothing illegal about what we have done,” he said.
The development follows a viral video showing Malami confronting EFCC officials and questioning the legality of the move. He argued that the court order presented was not specific to his property and maintained that the matter remains before the court.
“Where is your court order? The order here is not specific. It didn’t give you a clear directive to come and mark my property… You want to move nationwide to embarrass me? Go ahead, we will meet in court,” Malami said.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited Malami in a show of solidarity and called for the release of detained political figures, including Nasir El-Rufai.
“No one should be detained simply because they do not share the same ideology or political platform with the government of the day. -AA”
Atiku criticised the EFCC’s action, describing it as politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of intimidation.
“This is not governance. This is intimidation. This is a regime weaponising state power to silence dissent,” he declared.
He further alleged that the current administration is undermining democratic principles.
“What we are seeing is the naked abuse of power, security agencies deployed not for national security, but for settling political scores. This is how democracies die.
“Let it be said clearly: this government is terrified of competition. That is why it is resorting to brute force, harassing, intimidating, and attempting to break opposition leaders into submission,” he stated.
In January, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties reportedly linked to Malami and his associates, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The court also directed the EFCC to publicly notify interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
Malami has since challenged the order in court, maintaining his innocence.
He was previously arraigned alongside family members over alleged money laundering involving over ₦8.7 billion.
The situation highlights an ongoing legal and political battle surrounding asset forfeiture and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. While the EFCC maintains it is acting within the law, critics argue that the developments raise broader concerns about due process and the use of state institutions in politically sensitive cases.
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