EFCC Evicts Malami and Family from Abuja Home Amid Court Battle
By: Abudu Olalekan
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), says EFCC operatives forcefully threw him and his family out of their Abuja home — even with an active court case still hanging over the property.
He didn’t hold back. Malami addressed journalists at a press conference on Tuesday, laying out exactly what happened. According to him, EFCC officials first showed up on Monday, couldn’t finish what they came to do, then returned Tuesday morning — this time with armed personnel — and completed the takeover.
“Yesterday, without further recourse to the court, without seeking an order to seal my properties, without seeking an order to evict my family members and me from the property, without seeking a court order for the appointment of a receiver manager, the EFCC came to effect a forceful eviction,” he said.
“They were unable to conclude the process yesterday and reinforced this morning with a lot of personnel that are armed and indeed forcefully took over possession of my family residence.”
The property in question is his family home at No. 2, Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja. Not a random asset — his family home.
Malami acknowledged that an interim forfeiture order had been granted back on January 6, 2026. But here’s where he draws the line — he insists that order never authorised anyone to evict his family or take immediate possession of the property.
“The most interesting part of the order was that there was no clear directive or instruction… that the premises would be taken over forthwith or perhaps is being sold, or perhaps evicting the occupants,” he said.
He’s already challenging the forfeiture order at the Federal High Court. The case was adjourned to April 20, 2026. So, with both parties before the court and a date already set, Malami argues the EFCC had absolutely no business jumping the gun.
“It is only natural, logical and judicial that no party is expected to overreach by taking unilateral steps that would place a court in a situation of purposelessness,” he stated.
He went further, pointing out that enforcing court orders isn’t even the EFCC’s job to begin with — that’s what bailiffs and sheriffs exist for.
“Execution of court orders and processes is an exclusive function of court bailiffs and sheriffs… and is not in any way the prerogative of a party to the litigation,” he said.
Malami called the whole thing legally unprecedented. Flat out.
“What happened by way of forceful eviction of my family members and forceful takeover of my properties is legally and judicially unprecedented in the Nigerian legal system,” he added.
He also raised eyebrows over the timing. The eviction came shortly after his release from detention — and right around the time political allies had been visiting and showing support. He didn’t call it a vendetta outright, given the pending case. But he didn’t dismiss the idea either.
“The fact that these things happen at a time when I was receiving tremendous goodwill messages… can certainly be a basis for people to insinuate perhaps political persecution,” he said.
As for what’s next — he says he’s going to court. Simple as that.
“For me, the steps are legal, legitimate and judicial, and we will certainly embark on the judicial process to do the needful.”
Meanwhile, Reportersroom gathered that EFCC operatives — reportedly led by one Folarin Dare — had arrived at the Maitama residence earlier Tuesday in about five buses. Armed. Red and black jackets. They barricaded the road leading to Malami’s home before moving in.
Attempts to reach his lawyer on the forfeiture case, J.B Daudu, were unsuccessful. He didn’t respond to repeated calls as of the time this report was filed.
