Fresh Trouble For Malami As EFCC Officials Mark Abuja Properties Linked To Ex-AGF For Forfeiture 

By Rotela Oguns

From all indications, it appears the last has not been heard of the ordeal of  former Attorney-General of the federation, Abubakar Malami who recently has been  caught in a web of litigation spun by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This is as officials of the EFCC on Monday marked some properties in Abuja allegedly belonging to  the former Minister of Justice for forfeiture.

Peoplestemplate gathered that the marking of the multimillion naira properties was done hours after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar visited his residence.

Meanwhile, as revealed in a  viral video,  Malami did not allow the exercise to take place without challenging it. The ex-AGF asked the EFCC operatives a couple of questions concerning their action while demanding to see the court order authorising them to mark and take over his residence.

Reacting to  Malami’s questions, the official leading the EFCC tea  told the former AGF that the anti-graft agency has the right to mark the property since it is under forfeiture.

Not satisfied with the response of the EFCC official, Malami noted that the forfeiture order has expired..

After the back and forth between the two parties, the anti-graft agency officials proceeded to scrawl the inscription, “Restrained order EFCC keep off”,  on one of the properties linked to Malami.

Recall that the case against Malami took a dramatic twist in January, when a  federal high court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to him.

The properties were suspected to be  procured with proceeds of what the court described as “unlawful activities” allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami.

The court directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national daily newspaper, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the assets to appear before the court within 14 days and show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made.

However, a month later,  Malami made a tacit claim of ownership on the properties by filing an application challenging their forfeiture.

Also recall that Malami, who is standing trial on separate criminal cases bordering on money laundering and terrorism.

The ex-AGF, his wife  and son as defendants are  standing trial for allegations bordering on money laundering to the tune of N8,713,923,759.49.

Following a suit initiated by the EFCC, Malami and his son, Abdulaziz,  were  arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The duo were later arrested and left in the custody of the EFCC where they spent weeks.

But on February 27, father and son were granted bail to the tune of N200m each  by a Federal High Court in Abuja.