Justice Egwatu recuses self from Malami asset forfeiture case involving ₦213bn properties, citing personal reasons; case reassigned by Federal High Court
Justice Obiora Egwatu on Thursday recused himself from presiding over the Federal High Court’s asset forfeiture suit involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, citing personal reasons.
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Egwatu informed the court shortly after counsel for the parties had announced their appearances.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for personal reasons, and for the better interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case,” he stated.
The judge directed that the case file be forwarded 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 Egwatu added.
The recusal comes amid a high-profile legal battle over 57 properties valued at approximately ₦213.2 billion. Justice Emeka Nwite had ordered their temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government last month.
The interim forfeiture, granted on January 6 following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, concerns assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity linked to Malami and his sons.
The portfolio includes university buildings, hotels, plazas, filling stations, residential estates, and large tracts of land in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states.
The EFCC had also been directed to publish notice in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami has challenged the forfeiture order, 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,” while asserting violations of his rights to property, presumption of innocence, and family life.
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He further sought to restrain the EFCC from interfering with his ownership of three properties referenced in the application, noting that one is held in trust for the estate of his late father, Kadi Malami.
