Fresh concerns have emerged over the assets of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, following a renewed attempt by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take control of his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday, 23 March 2026, is believed to be part of efforts by the anti-graft agency to enforce a court-ordered interim forfeiture linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving the former minister.
Eyewitness accounts cited by The Nation indicated that the operatives, reportedly led by Folarin Dare, arrived in multiple buses, armed and dressed in EFCC jackets, before restricting access to the property located at No. 2 Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street. However, attempts to gain entry into the residence were unsuccessful.
The move follows earlier actions by security agencies targeting several properties linked to Malami across the Federal Capital Territory, many of which had been marked for seizure in line with the interim forfeiture order.
Reacting to the development, Malami acknowledged the existence of a court order dated 6 January 2026 authorising interim forfeiture of his assets but insisted that he had complied with legal requirements by responding within the stipulated timeframe.
“There were personnel that were fully kitted, fully armed, and very intimidating, harassing my immediate family members to the effect that they came to serve letters of invitation. So letters were eventually served, not only in respect of the house where they found me, but my other multiple houses and business premises were all invaded today, on the 23rd day of March 2026, by personnel that claimed to have come in from EFCC. I found that attitude very amazing.
“Amazing in the sense that, to my knowledge, indeed there was an order of the court dated 6th January 2026 for interim forfeiture of my properties. But the implication of that order was that my person was given an opportunity of 14 days within which to respond. Now the issue is we have responded. We joined issues before the court and filed an application for such order to be set aside,” he said.
The former minister further alleged that the actions of the commission were politically motivated, linking the development to recent visits by prominent political figures.
“The fact that insinuations associated with the unfolding drama honestly point to a clear direction of political motivation. Even as of today, as you rightly know, a lot of people are coming around to show their solidarity, arising from the view that my detention in custody for over 99 days—contrary to what is tolerated constitutionally of 48 hours without being charged to court—was indeed arbitrary, and now points to a direction of political intimidation.
“But the fact that among the people who visited my house today, the 23rd day of March 2026, was the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, and then the EFCC came over to invade my property shortly thereafter, points to a clear possible calculation, a possible conclusion that the actions were politically motivated.
“The right to vote and be voted for is constitutional. I am a Nigerian equally entitled to the enjoyment of those privileges. So the idea of perhaps reconsidering my ambition associated with governorship is not on the table as far as discussions are concerned. It’s constitutional, and I will certainly exercise my constitutional right over it,” Malami added.
