Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), has reassigned two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to a new trial judge.
The cases, returned to the Chief Judge following the recusal of Justice Obiora Egwuatu, have been scheduled for hearing on February 27 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Justice Egwuatu, who was initially reassigned the cases after Justice Emeka Nwite handled them during the Christmas/New Year vacation, withdrew on February 12, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.
The cases include an asset forfeiture suit concerning 57 properties and an N8.7 billion money laundering charge against Malami, his wife, Hajia Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz.
During the vacation period, Justice Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order on the 57 properties, which the EFCC alleged were proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami.
The properties, located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States, were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC was directed to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Malami, through a legal team led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, challenged the civil suit on January 27, alleging that the EFCC obtained the interim forfeiture order through suppression of facts and misrepresentation.
He argued that the suit violated his right to own property, his presumption of innocence, and his family’s right to live in peace. Other applicants joined him in seeking to vacate the interim order.
In the related criminal matter, Malami, his wife, and son were arraigned on December 30, 2025, before Justice Nwite on a 16-count money laundering charge totaling N8.713 billion.
The defendants pleaded not guilty and were initially remanded at Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres. They were later granted bail of N500 million each, with two sureties in the same amount.
Malami and his son were later re-arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over terrorism allegations. They are in DSS custody and were arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik on a five-count terrorism charge, with the trial also set to begin on February 27.
The February 27 hearing will see Malami, Asabe, and Abdulaziz re-arraigned on the money laundering charges, while Malami and other interested parties are expected to show cause why the interim forfeiture order on the 57 properties should not be set aside.
