The asset forfeiture case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami is anticipated to be assigned to a new judge by Federal High Court Chief Judge John Tsoho.
According to reports, on January 7, the court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order of temporary seizure of assets valued at ₦212.8 billion.
The houses in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, were allegedly purchased using money obtained from Mr. Malami’s illegal operations, according to the anti-graft agency.
Emeka Nwite, the judge who issued the temporary forfeiture order, declared on Tuesday that he had sent the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to a new judge who is anticipated to wrap up the proceedings.
On January 6, Nwite issued an interim forfeiture order for the 57 properties, postponing the ultimate forfeiture order until Tuesday, January 27.
Despite the presence of certain attorneys who had filed proceedings to contest the issuing of ultimate seizure of the assets, the case was not one of the 24 cases scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.
Jibrin Okutepa, a SAN who represents the EFCC, was also in court.
Okutepa reminded Judge Nwite that the case was set for a report of compliance on Tuesday just as he was about to start sitting.
Okutepa asked the judge to wrap up the case.
Nwite informed the attorney that it was customary for the court to return all cases assigned to judges during vacations, such as the most recent Christmas/New Year break, to the Chief Judge for reassignment as soon as regular court sessions started.
He claims that the chief judge will substantively shift the case to any judge of his choosing.
