Malami’s N8.7bn trial, 57-property forfeiture case reassigned ahead Feb. 27 proceedings

FRESH developments have emerged in the multi-billion naira cases involving former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, as the matters have been reassigned to a new judge of the Federal High Court ahead of their scheduled hearing on February 27.

The reassignment was effected by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, after the cases were returned to his docket following the withdrawal of Justice Obiora Egwuatu. The matters will now proceed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Justice Egwuatu had stepped down from handling the cases on February 12, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice. Before his brief involvement, the suits were managed during the court’s Christmas and New Year vacation by Justice Emeka Nwite, who made significant interim rulings in both the civil and criminal proceedings.

57-property forfeiture dispute

One of the cases is a civil asset forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to unlawful activities connected to Mr Malami.

During the vacation sitting, Justice Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order, temporarily transferring the properties to the Federal Government pending further hearing. The assets are said to be located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states.

READ ALSO: Full list of 57 properties linked to former AGF Malami, sons

The court also directed the EFCC to publish the interim order in a national newspaper to notify interested parties. A 14-day window was provided for anyone with claims to the properties to appear before the court and show cause why the forfeiture should not be made final.

In response, Mr Malami, through a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu, filed an application on January 27 challenging the interim order. He argued that the EFCC obtained the forfeiture through suppression of material facts and misrepresentation.

Mr Malami further contended that the proceedings violated his constitutional rights, including his right to own property, the presumption of innocence, and his family’s right to peaceful enjoyment of their assets. Other applicants joined the suit, urging the court to set aside the interim forfeiture order.

N8.713bn money laundering charges

In a related criminal case, Mr Malami, his wife Hajia Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz were arraigned on December 30, 2025, before Justice Nwite on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N8.713 billion.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their arraignment, they were remanded at Kuje and Suleja correctional centres before being granted bail.

Each defendant was granted bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum. The court imposed conditions requiring the sureties to meet specified criteria before the defendants could be released from custody.

DSS re-arrest, terrorism charges

The legal complications deepened when Mr Malami and his son were subsequently re-arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of terrorism-related offences.

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Both were taken into DSS custody and later arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik on a separate five-count terrorism charge. That trial is also scheduled to commence on February 27, the same date fixed for the money laundering case and the hearing in the forfeiture proceedings.

February 27: A critical date

On February 27, Mr Malami, his wife, and their son will be re-arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik on the 16-count money laundering charge following the case’s reassignment.

On the same day, Mr Malami and other interested parties in the civil matter are expected to argue why the interim forfeiture order on the 57 properties should be vacated. The EFCC, on its part, is likely to press for the order to be made permanent, insisting that the assets are proceeds of unlawful activities.

With both the civil forfeiture proceedings and the criminal trials converging on the same date, the reassignment signals a fresh phase in one of the most high-profile anti-corruption cases involving a former chief law officer of the federation.