By Aisha Bello, Abuja
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has mounted a legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the interim forfeiture of multiple properties, insisting they were lawfully acquired.
In an affidavit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami rejected allegations that the assets were proceeds of crime, arguing that the anti-graft agency failed to establish any link between the properties and unlawful activity.
“There is no document before the court showing these properties were acquired with proceeds of crime,” he stated.
The EFCC had secured the forfeiture order in January 2026 on suspicion that the assets were linked to illicit funds. However, Malami described the claims as speculative and unsupported by evidence.
He also accused the agency of inflating the value of the properties to strengthen its case, noting that independent valuers have placed significantly lower figures on the assets.
According to him, his wealth was accumulated through legitimate means, including decades of legal practice and investments.
“Loans from commercial banks, asset sales and other investments, gifts and proceeds from book launches,” he listed among his sources of income.
Malami further stated that all his earnings were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in compliance with legal requirements.
Beyond disputing the allegations, the former AGF accused the EFCC of violating due process by allegedly seizing properties without a final forfeiture order and evicting occupants.
He described the actions as “extrajudicial,” adding that they undermined the rule of law.
The case, which is tied to an ongoing criminal charge against him, is expected to test the limits of the EFCC’s powers in asset forfeiture proceedings.
The court will determine whether the assets will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to Malami
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