The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has marked an Abuja property linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), saying the action followed a valid interim forfeiture order granted by a court.
The commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, stated this in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, noting that the action was a normal law enforcement procedure.
Oyewale said the marking of the property was meant to notify members of the public about its status following a forfeiture order.
The statement followed a viral video of altercations between the former minister and operatives of the EFCC, which generated reactions online.
“There is nothing illegal in the matter. The attachment or marking of property that is on a forfeiture order is a normal law enforcement action when the court has granted an interim forfeiture,” Oyewale said.
He explained that once a forfeiture order is issued, the agency has the right to attach or mark the property to caution the public.
“What I mean by attachment of property is the normal marking of the property to caution members of the public that the property so marked is a forfeited property, whether in interim or final forfeiture.
“So when there is a forfeiture order by the court, the enforcement agency can go ahead and make markings,” he added.
The EFCC spokesman also dismissed claims that operatives raided the property, insisting that the commission only carried out enforcement of a court order.
“The commission did not go there to raid anywhere. We are not involved in any such act. So there is nothing illegal about what we have done,” Oyewale said.
In a two-minute video that went viral, Malami was seen questioning the operatives over the legality of the action and demanding to see the court order authorising the marking of his house.
The former minister argued that the order presented was not specific to his property and claimed the matter was still pending in court.
He accused the commission of attempting to embarrass him, saying, “Where is your court order? The order here is not specific. It didn’t give you a clear directive to come and mark my property… You want to move nationwide to embarrass me? Go ahead, we will meet in court.”
An EFCC operative in the video maintained that once a property is under forfeiture, the commission has the right to mark it.
The development came a few hours after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led a delegation on a solidarity visit to Malami.
