Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from two cases instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Egwuatu, who was recently assigned the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, said he decided to step aside for personal reasons and in the interest of justice.
The development came shortly after a civil suit seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami was mentioned in court.
The cases were previously handled by Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court, who presided as vacation judge during the Yuletide season.
The EFCC had filed a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering against the former AGF, his wife, and son.
On January 7, Justice Nwite granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties. The court ruled that the sureties must own landed property in Abuja districts, including Asokoro, Maitama, and Gwarinpa. The defendants were also ordered to deposit their travel documents with the court.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has dismissed claims that its actions against Malami and other opposition figures are politically motivated.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, maintained that the investigation of the former attorney general was not personal or partisan.
“There is nothing personal in this matter. If Nigeria is to move forward, all of us must agree that this fight must be fought without being partisan,” Olukoyede said.
He explained that the investigation into Malami began before his tenure as EFCC chairman and had been ongoing for nearly two and a half years.
“I inherited the file and ensured that the investigation was carried out professionally and thoroughly. Not until I was convinced that we had a watertight case did we proceed,” he added, dismissing allegations of persecution.
The cases are expected to be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court for further proceedings.
