Justice Obiora Egwatu on Thursday has withdrawn from hearing the Federal High Court’s asset forfeiture case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, citing personal reasons
Egwatu informed the court he could no longer continue with the matter shortly after the parties’ counsel had announced their appearances.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for personal reasons, and in the best interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case,” he stated.
He directed that the case file be forwarded to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
“The instant charge CR/700/2025 filed FRN vs Abubakar Malami (SAN) and two others shall be returned to the Chief Judge for further directives,” Justice Egwatu told the court.
The recusal occurs amid a high-profile legal dispute over 57 properties valued at around ₦213.2bn, which Justice Emeka Nwite had ordered temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government last month.
The interim forfeiture, granted on January 6, followed an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which claims the assets are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami and his sons.
The assets include university buildings, hotels, plazas, filling stations, residential estates, and large tracts of land across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, all of which the EFCC alleges were acquired illicitly.
Justice Nwite’s interim order also instructed the EFCC to publish a notice in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami, however, has challenged the forfeiture, insisting his wealth was legally obtained and properly declared to relevant authorities.
The former AGF urged the court to dismiss the proceedings, warning against “conflicting outcomes” and “duplicative litigation,” while asserting that the case infringed on his rights to property, presumption of innocence, and family life.
He also requested that the court restrain the EFCC from interfering with his ownership, possession, and control of three properties numbered 9, 18, and 48 in the EFCC’s application, noting that one of the properties is held in trust for the estate of his late father, Kadi Malami.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
JOKER