In a surprising turn of events at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu announced his decision to step aside from handling two legal actions initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) targeting Abubakar Malami, the immediate past Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The judge, who had just been assigned the case by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, explained that his decision to recuse himself stemmed from personal reasons and to uphold the principles of fairness in the judicial process.
Egwatu told the court he could no longer continue with the matter shortly after counsel for the parties announced their appearances.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for personal reasons, and for the better interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case,” he said.
The judge 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 filed back to the Chief Judge for further directives,” Justice Egwuatu told the court.
The recusal comes amid a high-stakes
Persecondnews reports that the recusal comes amid a high-stakes legal battle over 57 properties valued at about ₦213.2bn, which Justice Emeka Nwite had ordered to be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government last month.
These matters had earlier been presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, acting in his capacity as the vacation judge over the holiday period during Christmas.
Persecondnews recalls that on January 6, The anti-graft agency secured an interim forfeiture order from the Federal High Court in Abuja for 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami and his two sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami.
The properties encompass a wide range of assets, including luxury hotels, residential duplexes, commercial buildings, educational institutions, agro-allied facilities, oil and gas stations, supermarkets, pharmacies, schools, shops, and large land holdings.
Notable among them are Rayhaan University buildings in Kebbi, agro-allied factory buildings and machinery, primary and secondary schools, and filling stations.
Malami has challenged the order, providing details of his earnings—totaling over N15 billion from salaries, businesses, and gifts—to justify the acquisitions, claiming they were legitimate.
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