Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday moved to take over the Maitama residence of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Abuja.
EFCC operatives, reportedly led by Folarin Sunday Dare, arrived in about five buses and, dressed in their red and black jackets, heavily armed, barricaded the road leading to Malami’s residence.
A member of Malami’s household, Shehu Koko, confirmed during an interview with journalists in Maitama, Abuja that they met the former Minister of Justice at his residence.
Koko stated that the EFCC operatives did not present any valid court order, but Malami chose to step out quietly to avoid causing a scene with the officials
Koko stated, “The personnel of the EFCC, as you have seen, were fully kitted and fully armed. They said they were instructed to come and take over the property of former minister, Abubakar Malami, without any valid court order, and he said okay, he has given them the go-ahead to do that.
“Yesterday, they went and marked the houses, but as of this morning, it is this property they came to take over.
They came from authority, and you can’t fight authority.
“It’s still a political persecution. That’s how we look at it, we as politicians. Malami just came to the house to deal with them for some hours, and they said they want to take over, and he said okay, then he left. He said they should take over. That’s what he said.
“Despite all this, Malami is in a good state of mind; he is very active, he is fine, and he is courageous; nothing can shake him.”
Efforts to access the property, located at No. 2 Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street in Maitama, Abuja, were unsuccessful as the operatives sealed off the area.
In January, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order covering 57 properties believed to be proceeds of illicit activities allegedly connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru Rahman Malami.
EFCC operatives at the Abubakar Malami, Maitama residence. Photo credit: Abdulrahman ZakariyauThe court further instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to publish the order in a national newspaper, calling on any interested party to appear within 14 days to explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In February, Malami challenged the order by filing an application opposing the interim forfeiture of the assets linked to him.
Separately, the EFCC had arraigned Malami alongside his wife and son over alleged money laundering involving the sum of N8,713,923,759.49.
On July 2, 2025, Malami announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress.
He had earlier been appointed Attorney-General of the Federation in 2015 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari and served in that capacity until the end of the administration in 2023
