Forfeiture: EFCC Evicts Malami, Family From Abuja Residence
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, confirmed on Tuesday that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence, despite ongoing court proceedings concerning the property.
Malami told journalists that EFCC officials first stormed the property 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,” he said. “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.”
The property in question is located at No. 2, Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja. Malami explained that the eviction followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, but insisted that the order did not authorize immediate takeover or eviction.
“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 added.
Malami described the EFCC’s actions as unlawful and outside established legal procedures. He alleged that no specific eviction order was obtained, nor were court officials involved in the process.
The former minister also hinted at potential political undertones, noting that the eviction occurred shortly after his release from detention and during a period of increased political visits and support. “The fact that these things happen at a time when I was receiving tremendous goodwill messages… can certainly be a basis for people to insinuate perhaps political persecution,” he said, though he stopped short of calling it a vendetta due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Malami confirmed he would pursue legal remedies to challenge the EFCC’s action. “For me, the steps are legal, legitimate and judicial, and we will certainly embark on the judicial process to do the needful,” he said.
Reports indicate that EFCC operatives, reportedly led by Folarin Dare, arrived in about five buses, heavily armed and wearing red and black jackets, while barricading the road leading to Malami’s residence. Efforts to reach his lawyer, J.B. Daudu, for comment on next legal steps were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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