Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Monday, fired back at the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), filing a 40-page affidavit before the Federal High Court to block the final forfeiture of more than 50 properties linked to him, his family, and 14 companies.
The move came after Justice Emeka Nwite granted EFCC an interim forfeiture order on January 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026.
The order temporarily handed the commission control of houses, hotels, schools, factories, and plots of land across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.
EFCC’s ex parte motion claimed the assets were “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities”.
Malami’s sworn response, however, stated that it was not true. “There is no prima facie evidence,” the affidavit read, insisting every property was bought with legitimate funds and declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau long before the EFCC move.
He accused EFCC of inflating values to “mislead the court” and of evicting his family from six Abuja homes on March 24, 2026, without a final forfeiture order.
He added that title documents were seized during his 25-day detention in December 2025.
“I have fully accounted for ownership and lawful source of funds,” Malami’s affidavit concluded.
Nwite is expected to set a hearing date to decide whether to lift the interim order or make it final. For now, the hotels, schools, and mansions remained in EFCC’s custody.
EFCC declined comment on the new filings.
Onuminya Innocent
Follow us on: