Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday marked several properties in Abuja linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in what appears to be a step toward forfeiture.
The move came just hours after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar paid a visit to Malami’s residence, adding a political edge to an already sensitive situation.
EFCC operatives, backed by armed security personnel, arrived early in the day to carry out the marking exercise. Their presence, however, was met with resistance from Malami and those around him.
In a video that surfaced online, the former minister is seen confronting one of the officials, demanding to see a valid court order authorising the action. The EFCC operative insisted the agency was acting within its rights, stating the property was already under a forfeiture process.
Malami disagreed, maintaining that any forfeiture order had lapsed and again pressed for proof. At one of the properties, officials inscribed: “Restrained order EFCC keep off.”
The development traces back to January, when a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons — Abdulaziz and Abiru Rahman.
The court had also directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties 14 days to contest it and explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
In February, Malami pushed back legally, filing an application to challenge the interim forfeiture.
The former AGF is currently facing two separate criminal cases. He was granted bail last week after a Federal High Court in Abuja approved bail for him and his son, Abdulaziz, in the sum of N200 million each over alleged terrorism-related offences.
They had earlier been arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has also accused Malami of failing to act on case files involving suspected terrorism financiers during his time in office.
Separately, the EFCC has brought charges against Malami, his wife and son over alleged money laundering involving N8.7 billion.
With legal battles mounting and tensions rising at his Abuja residence, the standoff between the former justice minister and anti-graft authorities appears far from over.