Former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has filed a legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the interim forfeiture of several properties linked to him, insisting they were not acquired through illicit means.

In an affidavit submitted before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja, Malami maintained that the assets listed in the interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC in January 2026 were legitimately acquired through his legal practice, business ventures, and declared income.

The EFCC had secured the forfeiture order on suspicion that the properties were linked to proceeds of crime.

However, Malami argued that the anti-graft agency failed to present prima facie evidence connecting the assets to any criminal activity, describing the allegations as speculative.

“There is no document before the court showing these properties were acquired with proceeds of crime,” he stated.

Malami also accused the EFCC of inflating the value of the properties to strengthen its case, alleging that assets purchased for hundreds of millions of naira were presented as being worth billions.

He said independent valuers had provided significantly lower and more accurate valuations.

He attributed his wealth to over three decades of legal practice and investments spanning hospitality, agriculture, and education, as well as loans from commercial banks, asset sales, gifts, and proceeds from book launches.

According to him, all earnings were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in compliance with the law.

Beyond the valuation dispute, the former AGF accused the EFCC of overstepping its authority, alleging that operatives seized properties without a final forfeiture order, evicted family members, and confiscated documents.

He described the actions as extrajudicial and a violation of due process.

The case, which is also linked to an ongoing criminal charge against Malami, is expected to test the scope of the EFCC’s asset forfeiture powers and adherence to due process.

Malami is urging the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order, insisting the assets are legitimate and unconnected to any unlawful activity.