Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has expressed concern over what he described as politically motivated actions following the recent raid of his properties by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC operatives, on Monday, marked a property linked to the former minister in Abuja, following an interim forfeiture order granted by a court. The action sparked immediate reactions, especially after a two-minute video of the encounter went viral, showing Malami questioning the operatives on the legality of their action.
In the video, Malami was seen demanding to see the court order authorising the marking of his house while questioning the purpose and timing of the EFCC operation. The former minister later described the raid in an interview with reporters as “intimidating and unnecessary.”
“There were personnel that were fully kitted, fully armed, and very intimidating, harassing my immediate family members under the pretext that they came to serve letters of invitation,” Malami said, noting that the manner in which the operation was conducted caused undue distress to his household.
He emphasised that the action appeared politically motivated, questioning why such measures were being applied to him despite his compliance with legal processes. Malami warned that politicising anti-corruption efforts could erode public confidence in key institutions and undermine the rule of law.
Legal experts note that interim forfeiture orders allow authorities to temporarily take control of assets linked to investigations, but the manner of execution is expected to respect the rights of affected parties. The EFCC has not yet provided a detailed response to Malami’s public statements, although officials have stated in previous cases that such actions are part of ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities.
Observers say the viral video of the raid has reignited public debate over the EFCC’s methods, with some questioning whether politically exposed persons are being unfairly targeted and others insisting that anti-corruption agencies must operate without fear or favour.
Malami urged relevant authorities to ensure that enforcement of court orders is done transparently and without unnecessary intimidation. He also called for a review of procedures to prevent future incidents where operations appear excessive or politically charged.
The former Attorney General’s reaction is expected to trigger further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture order, with potential legal challenges anticipated in the coming days. Analysts believe the development highlights the ongoing tension between Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and high-profile political figures, particularly in cases where allegations involve politically exposed persons.
As of Monday evening, Malami maintained that he would fully cooperate with legitimate investigations, but warned that any misuse of anti-corruption instruments for political ends could have long-term consequences for institutional credibility and public trust in the rule of law.
The EFCC raid and Malami’s response are likely to dominate political and legal discussions in Abuja in the coming weeks, as Nigerians continue to monitor the balance between enforcement, due process, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
