Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, says his engagement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following an invitation by the agency was “successful.”
Malami disclosed this in a post on his X handle, stating:
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention.
“The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continue to unfold.”
The former AGF, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, had earlier assured the public of his readiness to honour the EFCC’s invitation.
“I am informing my family and friends that EFCC has invited me to clarify on some issues, and as a citizen of law and order and patriot, I am willing to honour this invitation without any hesitation.
“I believe in the importance of honesty, integrity and honesty in leadership these are principles I’ve long supported and uphold, over the years I’ve spent in public service.
“On this note, I am informing Nigerians of any development that will follow, so that everyone will be aware of what is going to go back to because of his current life and history,” his earlier post read.
Meanwhile, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the EFCC to immediately release 27 properties the commission had wrongly seized.
Delivering judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025 — filed by the EFCC — the judge vacated the interim forfeiture order granted on March 13 and dismissed the agency’s application for final forfeiture.
The properties had been advertised in line with court directives, prompting claims of ownership from James Ikechukwu Okwete, Jamec West African Limited, and Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo, who contested the forfeiture.
Upholding their claims, Justice Abdulmalik ruled:
“I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.
“Additionally, I hold in favour of the Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo being person interested in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause stands substantiated in its entirety.
“Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of forfeiture granted on March 13, 2025…
“Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT to Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo respectively.
“In that vein, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture along with the corresponding responses filed are now otiose. I so hold.”
However, counsel to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry, SAN, has written to the EFCC Chairman, alleging non-compliance with the judgment.
In the letter dated November 27, Larry said:
“We write as counsel to Mr. James Okwete and his company West Africa Ltd ‘the property owners’, to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31th October, 2025 when judgement was given against you.
“On November 14, 2025, the judgement order was served on your good office and nothing was done to obey it.
“On November 26, 2025, the Federal High Court through its Enforcement Unit… proceeded to your office to execute the judgement…
“In straight words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgement…
“We anticipate your positive reactions within reasonable time before we take further steps.”
The EFCC is yet to respond to the claims.
