Olayiwola Matthew
John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, has reassigned the two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, to a new judge.
The cases have now been assigned to Joyce Abdulmalik, who has fixed February 27 for proceedings.
The reassignment follows the withdrawal of Obiora Egwuatu from the matter.
Egwuatu had, on February 12, recused himself from presiding over the two cases, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.
The EFCC is prosecuting the former AGF on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The anti-graft agency had, in December 2025, said it traced properties worth N212 billion to Malami as part of an investigation into his tenure in office.
The assets, reportedly including hotels, residential buildings, schools, land and a printing press, are located in Kebbi, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Malami was arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, over allegations of laundering N8,713,923,759.49. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In a separate suit, the EFCC is seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The cases were initially handled by Emeka Nwite during the court’s vacation period. After the vacation, Tsoho reassigned the matters to Egwuatu, who later withdrew and returned the case files to the chief judge.
Meanwhile, Malami and his son are also standing trial before Abdulmalik on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
