Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court has withdrawn from two high-profile cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The judge announced his decision on Thursday during court proceedings, stating that his recusal was based on personal reasons and the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process. He explained that stepping aside would help ensure fairness and sustain public confidence in the handling of the sensitive cases.
Justice Egwuatu was recently reassigned to oversee the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. His withdrawal came shortly after a civil forfeiture suit involving 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami was mentioned in court. The forfeiture case is part of broader EFCC legal actions accusing the former justice minister of corruption and unlawful asset acquisition.
The cases were previously handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over them during the court’s vacation period.
Meanwhile, separate criminal proceedings involving Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, are ongoing following charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). The DSS arraigned both men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations including terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to court filings, Malami is charged with allegedly failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers during his tenure as Attorney-General, an action authorities claim amounts to knowingly abetting terrorism financing under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In addition, both father and son face counts related to alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition reportedly recovered from their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025.
The DSS maintains that the alleged possession of the weapon and ammunition constituted preparatory acts linked to terrorism, an accusation the defendants are expected to contest as the cases proceed.
The withdrawal of Justice Egwuatu means the EFCC cases against Malami will now be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court for continuation.
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