Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation, saw his Maitama residence in Abuja marked for takeover by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, intensifying political tensions in the nation’s capital.
EFCC operatives, reportedly led by Folarin Dare, arrived in five buses, heavily armed and clad in the agency’s red-and-black jackets, to seal off the road leading to Malami’s property at No. 2 Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street. Access to the house was restricted, and attempts to enter the premises were unsuccessful.
The commission confirmed that its action followed a court-issued interim forfeiture order, as explained by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale. “Marking or attaching property pursuant to a forfeiture order is a standard law enforcement procedure. There is nothing illegal about this action,” Oyewale said, adding that the EFCC did not raid the property.
The move comes amid viral footage showing Malami confronting EFCC operatives, demanding to see the court order authorizing the marking of his property. Malami claimed the order was not specific to his home and accused the EFCC of attempting to embarrass him publicly.
The legal basis for the EFCC’s action stems from a January 2026 Federal High Court ruling, which ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami and his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru Rahman Malami. The court instructed the EFCC to publish the order in a national daily, giving interested parties 14 days to contest. Malami has since filed a challenge to the forfeiture.
The development prompted a solidarity visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who condemned the EFCC’s action as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against opposition figures, including the detention of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Atiku, speaking on X (formerly Twitter), described the move as politically motivated and urged authorities to respect democratic norms and citizens’ rights.
Malami, who served as AGF under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, joined the African Democratic Congress in July 2025. Analysts note that his high-profile opposition stance and affiliation with a rival party may have contributed to increased scrutiny of his assets and legal battles.
In addition to the forfeiture proceedings, Malami, his wife, and son face money laundering charges totaling N8.7 billion, which are still before the courts.
While the EFCC insists its actions comply with due process, critics argue that the operation highlights the blurring of law enforcement and political interests in Nigeria. Atiku accused the administration of using state institutions to silence dissent and warned that such tactics threaten democratic governance and erode public confidence in the rule of law.
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