Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday stepped aside from presiding over the controversial asset forfeiture suit targeting former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two co-defendants. The judge cited personal reasons and the interest of justice in announcing his recusal shortly after the civil suit seeking final forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about ₦213.2 billion was called for mention in court.

The case, initially reassigned to Justice Egwuatu by Chief Judge John Tsoho, will now be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge. The civil suit forms part of a broader legal challenge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which alleges that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities and seeks their confiscation on behalf of the Federal Government.

The recusal comes amid ongoing legal proceedings that have seen multiple judicial reassignments. An interim forfeiture order for the portfolio of 57 assets including university buildings, hotels, residential estates, and commercial property across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States was granted in January by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte application by the EFCC. That order requires publication and a show-cause period before a final forfeiture ruling can be considered.

Malami has challenged the forfeiture action, maintaining that his wealth was lawfully acquired and properly declared to relevant authorities, and has urged the court to dismiss the proceedings as duplicative and in violation of his constitutional rights.
The judge’s withdrawal adds another procedural layer to a high-stakes legal battle that also includes a separate EFCC money-laundering prosecution against Malami and associates. With no new judge yet assigned, the matter awaits fresh directives from the Chief Judge as the courts prepare to resume full consideration of the forfeiture suit.