- By Abiola Olawale
The high-profile legal battle involving Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has hit a procedural snag.
This comes as Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Abuja Federal High Court on Thursday withdrew from two cases brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against Malami.
This development effectively stalls the proceedings as the case file returns to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The judge, recently reassigned to the cases by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, cited personal reasons and the need to uphold the interest of justice for his decision to withdraw.
The development came as a civil suit seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami was called for mention in court.
The cases were initially handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who served as a vacation judge during the Christmas period.
The New Diplomat reports that the EFCC.is seeking the final forfeiture of assets cumulatively valued at ₦212.8 billion.
Beyond the civil forfeiture, Malami faces a separate ₦8.7 billion money laundering trial alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami.
Malami is also being prosecuted by the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services, DSS, for alleged terrorism financing.
