Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami's residences in Abuja were sealed by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday. The action was taken amidst protests by Malami, who questioned the validity of the document presented by the EFCC officials.
The EFCC personnel, who were in plain clothes, marked Malami's houses located in Maitama, Abuja. Malami repeatedly reproached the officials, insisting that they should show him the court order that gave them permission to seal his properties. He argued that the matter was pending in court and that they were not entitled to take extraordinary actions.
The EFCC officials, however, claimed that they had the right to mark the property once it was under forfeiture. They presented a document to Malami, which he refused to accept. The building was then marked with a notice reading: "Restrained order, EFCC, Keep off."
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has also announced plans to arraign former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged finance malfeasance today.
The EFCC's actions against Abubakar Malami raise serious questions about the commission's accountability and respect for due process. By sealing Malami's properties without a valid court order, the EFCC has demonstrated a brazen disregard for the rule of law. This move will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Malami, who is already facing allegations of financial malfeasance. The arraignment of Nasir El-Rufai by the ICPC is a significant development, as it highlights the commission's commitment to holding public officials accountable for their actions. However, the timing of the arraignment, which coincides with the EFCC's actions against Malami, raises suspicions about the motivations behind these moves.
