Judge recuses himself from Malami’s ₦213bn asset forfeiture case
Justice Obiora Egwatu has stepped aside from presiding over the Federal High Court’s high-profile asset forfeiture case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, citing personal reasons.
The judge made the announcement on Thursday shortly after the parties’ counsel had appeared in court. “For personal reasons, and in the interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case,” Justice Egwatu said. He ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
READ ALSO: Malami moves to block EFCC as he challenges forfeiture of three properties in Abuja Court
The case concerns the forfeiture of 57 properties valued at approximately ₦213.2 billion, including hotels, university buildings, plazas, filling stations, residential estates, and large land parcels across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The properties were temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government in January following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which claims the assets are linked to unlawful activities by Malami and his sons.
Justice Emeka Nwite’s interim order required 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.
READ ALSO: Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 Malami-linked properties
Malami has challenged the forfeiture, insisting that his wealth was lawfully acquired and fully declared. He urged the court to dismiss the proceedings, warning against “conflicting outcomes” and “duplicative litigation.” Malami also sought to prevent the EFCC from interfering with three specific properties, one of which he says is held in trust for the estate of his late father, Kadi Malami.
With Justice Egwatu’s recusal, the case will now be reassigned, prolonging the ongoing legal battle over one of Nigeria’s most high-profile asset forfeiture suits.
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