Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has stepped down from handling two cases instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and two other defendants.
The matters were reassigned to Justice Egwuatu by the Chief Judge shortly after the court resumed from its last vacation.
The case files had earlier been returned by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the proceedings during the vacation period.
Justice Egwuatu announced his decision to recuse himself shortly after the first case, which concerns assets forfeiture, was mentioned in court.
The judge stated that his withdrawal was based on personal reasons and in the interest of justice.
He added that the case files would be sent back to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.
The first case, which borders on an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering scheme, lists Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and Hajia Bashir Asabe, said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a company allegedly linked to the former minister, as defendants.
The second matter relates to assets forfeiture proceedings involving Malami alone. In that case, the EFCC is seeking the forfeiture of about 57 properties alleged to have been unlawfully acquired by the former AGF.
