Judge withdraws from N212bn Malami asset forfeiture case

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, is set to reassign the asset forfeiture suit involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, following the withdrawal of the presiding judge.

Naija News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured an interim forfeiture order on January 7 for assets valued at about ₦212.8 billion.

According to the anti-graft agency, the properties—spread across Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State—were allegedly acquired with proceeds linked to unlawful activities attributed to the former AGF.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the interim forfeiture order, disclosed on Tuesday that he had forwarded the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge who would handle the matter to conclusion.

It would be recalled that Justice Nwite had earlier ordered the temporary forfeiture of 57 properties on January 6 and fixed January 27 for proceedings towards a final forfeiture order.

However, the case did not appear on the list of 24 matters scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, despite the presence of lawyers who had filed applications opposing the final forfeiture. Counsel to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, was also in court.

As the judge was about to commence proceedings, Okutepa drew his attention to the matter, noting that it was slated for a report of compliance.

Responding, Justice Nwite explained that it is standard court practice that cases handled during court vacation periods such as the Christmas and New Year break must be returned to the Chief Judge once normal sittings resume.

He added that the Chief Judge would thereafter reassign the case to any judge deemed appropriate for substantive hearing.