CJ Tsoho Reassigns Malami’s EFCC Cases to Judge Abdulmalik

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has transferred the two pending cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to a new trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. This reassignment follows the recusal of the previous judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who withdrew from the matters on personal grounds and in the interest of justice.

The cases, which encompass both civil forfeiture and criminal money laundering charges, have been scheduled for hearing on February 27 before Justice Abdulmalik. The files were returned to the Chief Judge after Justice Egwuatu stepped down, having initially received them following their handling by Justice Emeka Nwite during the 2024 Christmas/New Year court vacation period.

The civil suit seeks the permanent forfeiture of 57 landed properties—located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna—valued at multi-billions of naira. Justice Nwite had granted an interim forfeiture order on January 6, following an ex-parte application by the EFCC. The order directed the publication of the forfeiture notice, allowing interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently surrendered to the federal government. Malami, through his legal team led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, has subsequently filed a motion challenging the suit. He alleges the EFCC obtained the interim order through suppression of material facts and misrepresentation, arguing the action assaults his constitutional rights to property and presumption of innocence.

Concurrently, the criminal charge accuses Malami, his wife Hajia Asabe Bashir, and his son Abdulaziz of money laundering involving approximately N8.7 billion. They were first arraigned on December 30, 2024, before Justice Nwite on 16 counts and pleaded not guilty. After being granted N500 million bail each with sureties, Malami and his son were reportedly re-arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) on terrorism-related allegations. They were subsequently arraigned on a five-count terrorism charge before Justice Abdulmalik on February 3, with trial also set for February 27.

The transfer to Justice Abdulmalik consolidates all matters involving Malami and his family before a single judge. The February 27 hearing will see the defendants re-arraigned on the money laundering charges, while the civil forfeiture proceedings will proceed with parties required to show cause against the interim order. The cases represent a complex, high-profile legal battle for the former top law officer, intersecting civil asset recovery, criminal prosecution, and separate national security allegations.