…cites court order
By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its controversial presence at properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was not a raid but the execution of a valid court order, pushing back against claims of a siege and political undertones.
A highly placed source within the commission told Vanguard that the EFCC had obtained an interim forfeiture order covering some of the properties in question.
“You know we have obtained an interim forfeiture order concerning some properties linked to Malami.
“Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, particularly Sections 5 and 5B, once a court grants such an order to a law enforcement agency, in this case, the EFCC, the agency is authorised to take possession of those propertie,” the source said.
According to the source, the process involves what is known as ‘attachment’, which includes officially marking the affected properties.
“In taking possession, we may carry out attachment. This involves placing official markings on properties for which the court has granted a forfeiture order. What we are doing is simply to take possession, attach and mark these properties accordingly, so that members of the public are properly cautioned when engaging in any transaction involving them,” the official said.
The source dismissed suggestions that the operation was a siege or politically motivated, insisting the EFCC was acting strictly within the law.
“So, this was not a raid. It is entirely in line with judicial processes and procedures. We are simply carrying out what we are lawfully permitted to do,” the source added.
The commission also denied any link between the operation and the recent visit of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to Malami.
“It has nothing to do with whether Atiku visited or not. We are just conducting ourd normal investigative and operational activities, and the markings are to inform the public that the properties have been forfeited to the government.”
Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for official comment were unsuccessful as at press time.
But the explanation is unlikely to quiet the growing political noise around the operation, which has already sparked sharp reactions and competing narratives.
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