Legal luminary says Malami goofed on alleged acquisition of Abuja property

In report by TheCable, Falana maintained that the claims are not only false but a figment of the imagination of the accuser.

In a statement by lawyer and human rights activist on Saturday, November 25, 2017, Falana responded to reports which quoted Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) as saying the said property worth N1 billion was sold to “a Lagos lawyer”.

Falana said: “Hence, I have decided to join issues with Malami over his false claim that the EFCC had sold the property in question to me. Contrary to Malami’s claim I never bought any property from the EFCC."

Explaining what he posited as true facts, the senior advocate of Nigeria said the property was one of the assets used as collateral of a loan obtained from Bank PHB by A Group Properties over 10 years ago.

“He (Malami) would also have found that the property is a subject matter of a suit which is currently pending before the federal high court sitting at Abuja. (See Suit No /2015 between Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria v A Group Properties Limited).

“The suit was instituted by AMCON due to the failure of the company to liquidate the loan. In granting the ex parte application filed by AMCON in the matter the court ordered an interim forfeiture of the assets of A Group Properties Limited including No 42, Gana Street, Maitama District, Abuja. The said order was granted on November 11, 2015.

“However, in a bid to pay the loan, A Group Properties Limited decided to sell some of the properties. The sale of the property in question to me was made subject to the setting aside of the order of interim forfeiture which had been obtained by AMCON.

“Up till now, the case has not been concluded as the parties have asked for time to resolve the dispute amicably and file terms of settlement. To that extent, the transaction on the property remains inchoate.”

Falana further said order of interim forfeiture was granted in favour of AMCON over two years ago.

"Malami has not deemed it fit to disclose to the federal high court that the property at 42, Gana street, Maitama District, Abuja was recovered by the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforn.

“Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, Maina’s allegation that the management of the EFCC sold the property at No 42, Gana Street, Maitama District, Abuja or any property to me is a figment of his fecund imagination for mischief.

ALSO READ: Full story of the 'pension thief' who served in Buhari's government

“Instead of engaging in a cheap campaign of blackmail Malami should have taken steps to recover the alleged N1 billion property for the federal government if he is convinced that it is a proceed of crime,” he said.

Malami's allegation

Malami allegedly said a lagos lawyer bought the property in contention when he appeared before the senate committee probing ex-boss of Pension boss, Abdulrasheed Maina’s recall into service after he was declared wanted over alleged fraud.

The expensive property is said to have been recovered by the presidential task force on pension reform.