Ordeal: I can’t rule out political undertone, says Malami

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of multiple and unilaterally enforcement of an order if interim forfeiture of January 6, 2026, that he is challenging in court and the anti-graft agency is a party.

The EFCC had on Monday and Tuesday sealed off Malami’s property at No 2 Kurana Close off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja while seeking to evict the occupants on the said court order, which was emanated from the pending court proceeding.

However, in a press briefing on Tuesday, Malami said the action of the EFCC was an unprecedented step in the Nigerian judicial system where a party in a case before the court would ignore an adjourned hearing date of April 20 and the judicial mechanisms of the court bailiffs and court sheriffs to implement an order with armed personnel.

“EFCC as a party before the court cannot enforce the order even if indeed they were granted an express order for eviction of my persons, an express order of taking over my property, an express order of perhaps appointment of a receiver manager, which in the circumstances needs to be litigated by the parties before the court,” he said.

Malami said he could not rule out political undertone to his detention for 99 days, especially as the actions of the EFCC in seizing his houses came during goodwill messages and solidarity visits from his political associates.

He added that the incident that happened on Monday was not an isolated one, because it was further compounded by additional events that followed on Tuesday morning.