Justice Obiora Egwatu on Thursday stepped aside from presiding over the Federal High Court’s asset forfeiture suit involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, citing personal reasons.
The judge informed the court shortly after counsel for the parties made their appearances: “Ladies and gentlemen, for personal reasons and in the best interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case,” he said.
Justice Egwatu 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,” he added.
The recusal comes amid a high-profile legal battle over 57 properties valued at approximately ₦213.2 billion, which Justice Emeka Nwite had temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government in January. The ex parte order was granted following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which claims the assets including university buildings, hotels, plazas, filling stations, residential estates, and large tracts of land across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna are suspected proceeds of unlawful activity linked to Malami and his sons.
Justice Nwite had also directed 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 forfeiture order, insisting his wealth was legitimately acquired and fully declared to the authorities. He urged the court to dismiss the proceedings, citing concerns over “conflicting outcomes” and “duplicative litigation,” and argued that the action violated his rights to property, presumption of innocence, and family life.
The former AGF further sought to restrain the EFCC from interfering with three specific properties referenced in the application, noting that one is held in trust for the estate of his late father, Kadi Malami.
