By Amah
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There was heightened tension in Abuja’s upscale Maitama district on Tuesday as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swooped on a residence linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in what appears to be a decisive escalation in an ongoing corruption investigation.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that heavily armed EFCC personnel, led by an official identified as Folarin Dare, arrived the premises in a convoy of no fewer than five buses. The operatives immediately cordoned off the area, blocking access routes leading to the property located at No. 2 Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama.
The operation effectively shut down movement around the residence as security agents mounted surveillance and restricted entry, signaling what sources describe as a move toward asset forfeiture.
While the EFCC has yet to release an official statement detailing the exact charges, the action is believed to be tied to allegations of financial misconduct currently under investigation. The development marks one of the most high-profile enforcement steps taken against a former top government official in recent months.
Abubakar Malami served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. During his tenure, he played a central role in the administration’s legal framework and anti-corruption agenda, though his time in office was not without controversy.
Over the years, Malami has faced public scrutiny over decisions linked to high-value asset recoveries, controversial legal opinions, and alleged opacity in certain government transactions. While no court has convicted him of wrongdoing, calls for investigation into his stewardship have persisted in political and civil society circles.
The EFCC, Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agency, has intensified efforts in recent times to pursue cases involving politically exposed persons, signaling a broader crackdown on alleged corruption across past administrations.
Tuesday’s operation may therefore represent a significant test of the agency’s resolve to hold former power holders accountable, regardless of status or influence.
As of press time, it remains unclear whether the former AGF was present at the property during the operation or whether formal forfeiture proceedings have already been filed in court.
