Justice Obiora Egwuatu on Thursday withdrew himself from two high-profile cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the judge, recently reassigned the cases by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, cited personal reasons and the “better interest of justice” for his withdrawal.
The cases include a multi-billion naira civil suit for the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami and an N8.7 billion money laundering charge against him, his wife Asabe Bashir, and son Abdulaziz Malami.
Thursday’s development came shortly after the civil suit was called for mention. EFCC lawyer Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that Malami’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, requested an adjournment to Feb. 16 due to another Court of Appeal engagement.
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Justice Egwuatu announced his recusal shortly after and said the case files would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The properties in question, located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna, had previously been placed under interim forfeiture by Justice Emeka Nwite, who had also overseen the December 2025 arraignment of Malami, Asabe, and Abdulaziz on 16-count money laundering charges.
The trio had pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of N500 million each with two sureties.
Meanwhile, Malami and his son were recently re-arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on terrorism-related charges and arraigned on Feb. 3 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The EFCC cases, both civil and criminal, remain pending as the judiciary handles reassignment and ongoing proceedings.