EFCC Operatives Take Over Malami’s Abuja Residence, Block Access To Street

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday blocked access to the Abuja residence of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

NaijaChoice News reports that the team arrived in about five buses and took full control of Koranakh Close, off Amazon Street in the Maitama district. The anti-graft agency sealed off the neighborhood, preventing residents and visitors from entering the street as armed operatives in red and black jackets maintained a heavy presence.

The residence at No. 2 Koranakh Close could not be accessed. Sources link the operation to an ongoing probe into alleged financial impropriety involving properties tied to Malami and his family.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had in January granted an interim forfeiture order for 57 assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Malami challenged the order in February, arguing the matter remains pending in court.

In a viral video that has since circulated widely, Malami confronted the operatives on site. “Where is your court order? The order here is not specific. Do you want to disgrace me?” he demanded, insisting the action was meant to embarrass him.

Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, issued a strong statement describing the operation as unlawful. He said it happened minutes after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid a solidarity visit to the residence, involved forceful entry into multiple properties and offices, and led to two individuals being taken into custody without any valid court order presented.

Doka called it a dangerous assault on the rule of law and politically motivated.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, however, defended the move as standard procedure. “The attachment or marking of property that is on a forfeiture order is a normal law enforcement action when the court has granted an interim forfeiture,” he said, adding that the commission did not raid anywhere.

The incident has triggered fresh debate on the conduct of anti-graft operations against former top officials. It also raises questions about due process in high-profile cases involving billions of naira allegedly laundered during Malami’s tenure as AGF under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

As at press time, Malami’s legal team says it will pursue the matter in court while the EFCC maintains it acted within its powers.