Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from presiding over two high-profile cases involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
At Thursday’s court session, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision to step aside from the matters, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.
His withdrawal marks the latest development in the ongoing legal proceedings instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former minister.
The EFCC is prosecuting Malami on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering. In December 2025, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it had traced properties worth N212 billion to Malami as part of an investigation into his tenure in office.
According to the commission, the properties—comprising hotels, residential buildings, parcels of land, schools, and a printing press—are located across Kebbi and Kano states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Malami was arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, on a separate 16-count charge involving alleged money laundering amounting to N8,713,923,759.49. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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In another related suit, the EFCC is seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. During the court’s vacation period, Justice Emeka Nwite handled both matters.
On January 6, Justice Nwite ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 properties. A day later, after granting bail to Malami and his co-defendants, he issued a stern warning to counsel and litigants against attempting to approach him outside the courtroom to influence proceedings.
“Before concluding, I want to admonish and warn counsel and litigants that all judges are not the same,” Nwite said.
“When I am handling any case, please don’t approach me. When you are doing your case, you can get the best lawyers in this country to do your case, but don’t attempt to approach me for any help.
“I am not the type of judge. I know what God has done for me by giving me this job, and I have vowed to do it to the best of my ability. I have sworn before Almighty God and man that I am going to do my duty without fear or favour. Any attempt to try this will be vehemently resisted.”
Following the end of the vacation period, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, reassigned the cases to Justice Egwuatu, who has now recused himself.
It is expected that the matters will be reassigned to another judge for continuation of proceedings.