JUSTICE EGWATU RECUSES HIMSELF FROM MALAMI ASSET FORFEITURE CASE
Read Time:1 Minute, 31 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
Justice Obiora Egwatu on Thursday recused himself from presiding over the Federal High Court’s high-profile 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 announced their appearances, stating, “For personal reasons, and for the better interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case.” He directed that the case file be sent to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.
The recusal comes amid a legal battle over 57 properties valued at approximately ₦213.2 billion, which Justice Emeka Nwite had temporarily ordered forfeited to the Federal Government last month. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which filed the ex parte application, alleges that the assets—ranging from university buildings, hotels, plazas, and filling stations to residential estates and large tracts of land across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states—are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami and his sons.
Justice Nwite’s interim order required the EFCC to publish a notice in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami has challenged the forfeiture, insisting that his wealth was legitimately acquired and fully declared. He urged the court to dismiss the proceedings, warning against “conflicting outcomes” and “duplicative litigation,” and argued that the action violates his rights to property, presumption of innocence, and family life.
He also requested that the EFCC be restrained from interfering with three of the properties listed in the application, maintaining that one of them is held in trust for the estate of his late father, Kadi Malami.
The reassignment of the case is now pending the Chief Judge’s directives.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0