By Amah
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In a dramatic escalation of Nigeria’s high-stakes anti-corruption battles, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday forcefully evicted former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his family from their Abuja residence, despite ongoing legal proceedings over the property.
Malami, speaking to journalists at a press briefing, said the eviction came without warning, court-sanctioned instructions, or due process. “Yesterday, without any recourse to the court, without an order to seal my properties, without an order to evict my family and me, the EFCC attempted to take over my residence,” he said. “When they failed to complete the process yesterday, they returned today with armed personnel and forcibly took possession.”
The seized property, located at No. 2, Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja, has been at the centre of a contentious legal battle following an interim forfeiture order issued on January 6, 2026. Malami, however, insisted that the order did not authorise immediate eviction or takeover of his family home.
“The interim order did not clearly direct that the premises be taken over forthwith, sold, or that the occupants be evicted,” Malami said. He added that he had already challenged the forfeiture order before the Federal High Court, with the matter adjourned until April 20, 2026.
Criticising the EFCC’s approach, the former AGF said: “With both parties already before the court, it is only natural, logical, and judicial that no party should overreach by taking unilateral steps that would render a court process purposeless. Enforcement of court orders is the exclusive function of judicial authorities, not litigants.”
Legal analysts say the eviction raises critical questions about due process and the limits of EFCC authority, especially when court proceedings are ongoing.
However, some observers suggest that Abubakar Malami may now be reaping the consequences of his own past actions as Attorney-General of the Federation, when he was accused of flouting court orders and overstepping legal boundaries. Critics argue that his current clash with the EFCC over his Maitama residence mirrors the same disregard for judicial authority he was once criticised for enforcing, highlighting a stark irony in his position today.
As the drama unfolds, all eyes are on the Federal High Court to determine whether the forcible takeover will withstand judicial scrutiny, setting a potential precedent for future anti-corruption enforcement in Nigeria.
