Forfeiture: EFCC evicts Malami, family from Abuja residence

Malami

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Tuesday confirmed that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence, despite ongoing court proceedings over the property.

Malami disclosed this while addressing journalists at a press conference, stating that EFCC officials stormed the premises on Monday and returned on Tuesday with armed personnel to complete the takeover.

“Yesterday, without further recourse to the court, without seeking an order to seal my properties, without seeking an order to evict my family members and me from the property, without seeking a court order for the appointment of a receiver manager, the EFCC came to effect a forceful eviction.

“They were unable to conclude the process yesterday and reinforced this morning with a lot of personnel that are armed and indeed forcefully took over possession of my family residence,” he said.

The former AGF identified the property as his family home located at No. 2, Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

He explained that the action followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, but insisted that the order did not authorise eviction or immediate takeover of the property.

“The most interesting part of the order was that there was no clear directive or instruction… that the premises would be taken over forthwith or perhaps is being sold, or perhaps evicting the occupants,” he said.

Malami noted that he had already challenged the forfeiture order before the Federal High Court, with the case adjourned till April 20, 2026.

According to him, with both parties already before the court, the EFCC ought to have exercised restraint rather than taking unilateral enforcement steps.

“It is only natural, logical and judicial that no party is expected to overreach by taking unilateral steps that would place a court in a situation of purposelessness,” he stated.