Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has challenged the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the interim forfeiture of several properties, insisting they are not proceeds of crime.
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami argued that all the assets listed in the January 2026 forfeiture order were legally acquired through his years of legal practice, business ventures, and declared income.
He faulted the EFCC’s case, stating that the agency failed to present any concrete evidence linking the properties to criminal activity, describing the allegations as speculative.
Malami also accused the commission of inflating the value of the assets to strengthen its claims, noting that independent valuations show significantly lower figures than those presented by the EFCC.
According to him, his wealth stems from multiple legitimate sources, including over three decades in legal practice, as well as investments in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education.
He added that all his earnings were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in line with legal requirements.
Beyond the financial dispute, Malami alleged that EFCC operatives acted outside the law by seizing properties without a final forfeiture order, evicting occupants, and confiscating documents, actions he described as a violation of due process.
The case is expected to test the scope of the EFCC’s asset forfeiture powers, as the court will determine whether the properties should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to Malami.
