- Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has challenged the interim forfeiture of his properties, dismissing claims that they were acquired through illicit funds.
- Malami accused the EFCC of inflating the value of his properties, presenting assets worth hundreds of millions as being worth billions to sensationalize the case.
- The former minister attributed his fortune to over 30 years of legal practice, hospitality investments, farming, and bank loans, all of which he claims were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has filed a rigorous defense at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to overturn an interim forfeiture order on several of his properties.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in an affidavit sighted on Monday, April 27, 2026, Malami labeled the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) allegations of “proceeds of crime” as speculative and unsupported by evidence.
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Malami maintained that his assets were the result of a long and successful career in law and various business ventures spanning hospitality, agriculture, and education.
He explicitly cited commercial bank loans, property sales, and even proceeds from book launches as the legitimate pillars of his wealth.
“There is no document before the court showing these properties were acquired with proceeds of crime,” Malami stated, asserting that he has remained compliant with asset declaration laws throughout his tenure in office.
A major point of contention in the legal battle is the valuation of the seized assets.
Malami alleged that the EFCC deliberately exaggerated the worth of his holdings to strengthen their narrative.
He presented independent valuation reports to the court, arguing that the figures provided by the anti-graft agency were significantly higher than the actual market value of the properties in question.
Beyond the financial arguments, the former AGF accused the EFCC of “extrajudicial” conduct and a breach of due process.
He alleged that agency operatives evicted his family members from their residences and confiscated personal documents without a final court order.
As the court prepares to decide whether the assets will be permanently forfeited or returned, the case is being viewed as a landmark test of the EFCC’s powers regarding asset recovery and the rights of former public officials.
