Judge Steps Down From Court Case Against Malami Over ₦213bn Properties
Justice Obiora Egwatu on Thursday stepped down from presiding over the Federal High Court’s asset forfeiture case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, citing personal reasons.
The judge informed the court shortly after the parties’ lawyers announced their appearances that he could no longer continue with the matter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for personal reasons, and in the best interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case,” Egwatu said.
He directed that the case file be sent 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,” he added.
The development comes amid a high-stakes legal dispute over 57 properties valued at about ₦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 alleges the assets are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami and his sons.
The portfolio includes 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 claims were acquired illegally.
Justice Nwite’s order also required the EFCC to publish a notice in a national newspaper, inviting any interested party to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami, however, has challenged the order, insisting his wealth was legally obtained and fully declared to the relevant authorities.
The former AGF asked the court to dismiss the proceedings, warning against “conflicting outcomes” and “duplicative litigation,” and argued that the case violated his rights to property, presumption of innocence, and family life.
He further sought to restrain the EFCC from interfering with his ownership, possession, and control of three specific 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.
