Justice Obiora Egwuatu has stepped down from two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The judge, who was recently assigned to handle the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, announced that he would no longer continue with the proceedings.
He said his decision was based on personal reasons and the need to ensure fairness. He added that both case files would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
One of the cases involves a civil suit seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties said to be worth billions of naira.
The second case concerns an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering charge filed against Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.
The judge made his decision shortly after the civil forfeiture case was called in court.
During the sitting, counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court that the matter was listed for mention.
He told the court that the commission had received a letter from Malami’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, asking for the case to be adjourned to Monday, February 16.
Iheanacho explained that Daudu stated in the letter that he had another matter at the Court of Appeal on the same day, which made it difficult for him to attend the proceedings.
After hearing this, Justice Egwuatu announced that he would withdraw from the case, including the related criminal matter.
Although Daudu was not present in court, other lawyers appeared on behalf of parties who have interests in some of the properties that were earlier placed under temporary forfeiture by the Federal Government.
The cases were first handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as vacation judge during the Christmas period. When the vacation ended, the Chief Judge reassigned the matters to Justice Egwuatu.
The civil forfeiture case had been fixed for February 12, while the money laundering case was scheduled for February 16 before the judge stepped aside.
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