By Oluwakemi Kindness
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has launched a legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the interim forfeiture of several properties linked to him.
In an affidavit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, Malami denied allegations that the properties are proceeds of crime, insisting they were legitimately acquired through years of legal practice, business investments, and declared income.
EFCC’s Position
The EFCC had earlier obtained an interim forfeiture order on the properties on suspicion that they were linked to illicit funds.
However, Malami argued that the commission failed to establish prima facie evidence connecting any of the assets to criminal activity, describing the claims as speculative.
He also alleged that the EFCC inflated the value of the properties, stating that assets purchased for hundreds of millions of naira were wrongly presented as worth billions.
Malami’s Defence
According to him, his wealth was derived from multiple lawful sources, including over three decades of legal practice, investments in hospitality, agriculture, and education.
He also cited loans from commercial banks, asset sales, other investments, and proceeds from book launches, adding that all earnings were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in compliance with the law.
Allegations of Due Process Breach
Malami further accused the EFCC of overstepping its powers, alleging that operatives seized properties without a final forfeiture order and evicted family members from residences.
He described the actions as “extrajudicial” and a violation of due process.
Court Proceedings
The case, which is also linked to an ongoing criminal charge against the former Attorney General, is now before the Federal High Court in Abuja for determination.
The court is expected to decide whether the interim forfeiture order will be upheld, converted into permanent forfeiture, or set aside in favour of Malami.
