Malami Challenges EFCC in Court Over Seized Assets, Claims Lawful Wealth

Malami Challenges EFCC in Court Over Seized Assets, Claims Lawful Wealth

Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has escalated his legal fight against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the seizure of multiple properties allegedly linked to him, insisting his wealth is lawful and transparently acquired.

The dispute is currently before the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja, following an interim forfeiture order earlier secured by the EFCC in January 2026. The order temporarily transferred control of several high-value assets to the Federal Government pending the outcome of investigations.

In fresh court filings submitted on Monday, Malami strongly rejected the allegations, maintaining that there is no evidence connecting the properties to proceeds of crime. He argued that the anti-graft agency failed to meet the legal threshold required for such a forfeiture.

“My Money Is Clean, My Properties Are Legit,” Malami declared, challenging the legality of the EFCC’s actions and urging the court to set aside the order.

The former AGF accused the EFCC of relying on speculative claims and inflated valuations to justify the seizure. According to him, properties acquired for hundreds of millions of naira were allegedly misrepresented as being worth billions, a move he described as misleading and prejudicial.

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He further told the court that his wealth accumulated over decades through legitimate means, including his legal career, investments, and business ventures spanning sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education. He also cited bank loans, proceeds from asset sales, gifts, and earnings from book launches as part of his income sources.

Malami insisted that all his assets were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in compliance with constitutional requirements for public officials, stressing that transparency had always guided his financial dealings.

Beyond disputing the financial claims, Malami accused the EFCC of overstepping its powers. He alleged that some properties were taken over without a final court आदेश and that occupants, including family members, were forcefully evicted while personal documents were seized.

He described the commission’s actions as “extrajudicial” and a violation of due process and fundamental human rights.

Legal experts note that under Nigerian law, interim forfeiture orders are typically granted ex parte to prevent the dissipation of suspected illicit assets. However, affected parties retain the right to challenge such orders by providing evidence of legitimate ownership—an avenue Malami is now actively pursuing.

The EFCC, on its part, has maintained that the assets under investigation may be linked to illicit enrichment, forming the basis of its application for forfeiture. While the agency has not publicly detailed all the evidence in this case, it has intensified scrutiny of former public officials in recent years as part of broader anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.

The case is also connected to a broader legal scrutiny involving the former minister, further raising its profile as a potential test of the EFCC’s authority in asset recovery matters.

Malami is asking the court to nullify the interim forfeiture order and direct the immediate return of his properties, maintaining that they have no connection to any criminal activity.

The court is expected to determine whether the assets will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or released back to him, a decision that could shape future interpretations of asset seizure laws and due process in Nigeria.

Malami Challenges EFCC in Court Over Seized Assets, Claims Lawful Wealth