Justice Egwuatu Withdraws From EFCC High-Profile Cases Against Ex-Attorney-General Malami, Cites Interest Of Justice

Justice Egwuatu Withdraws From EFCC High-Profile Cases Against Ex-Attorney-General Malami, Cites Interest Of Justice

The judge, who was recently reassigned to handle the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, announced his withdrawal in open court, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court on Thursday recused himself 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, who was recently reassigned to handle the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, announced his withdrawal in open court, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.

Justice Egwuatu said his decision to step down from the cases was necessary to ensure fairness and maintain public confidence in the judicial process.

The development came shortly after a civil suit seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami was called up for mention before the court.

The forfeiture case forms part of broader legal actions initiated by the EFCC against the former justice minister over alleged corruption and unlawful acquisition of assets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cases were previously handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over them as a vacation judge during the Christmas break.

SaharaReporters also reported earlier this month that the Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over allegations bordering on terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where the DSS filed a five-count criminal charge against them under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

According to court documents, Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer until 2023, was charged solely under Count One of the information, while he and his son were jointly charged under Counts Two to Five, all relating to the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

In Count One, the DSS accused the former Attorney General of knowingly abetting terrorism financing during his tenure in office by deliberately refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office for legal action.

The charge specifically alleged that Malami, sometime in November 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court, did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose casefiles were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation, for prosecution,”an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Counts Two to Five accused both Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, of engaging in preparatory acts of terrorism and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition without a valid licence.

The DSS alleged that sometime in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, the defendants were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.

Count Two of the charge stated that the defendants did engage in a conduct in preparation to commit act of terrorism by having in your possession and without licence the said firearm and ammunition, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.