Why I Withdrew From Malami’s Money Laundering Case – Judge
A Federal High Court judge in Abuja, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, has stepped aside from handling the money laundering case against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The judge also recused himself from a related case involving 57 properties the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claims are linked to Malami.
Justice Egwuatu told the court that personal reasons prevented him from continuing with the trials.
He said the cases would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.
Malami, who was Justice Minister from November 2015 to May 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari, faces a 16-count charge of laundering around N9 billion.
His son, Abdulaziz, and one of his wives, Hajia Bashir Asabe, are co-defendants.
The EFCC claims the defendants used businesses like Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal funds in bank accounts.
The agency also said the defendants retained N600 million in March 2021 as cash collateral for a loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the money came from unlawful sources.
Investigators, bank officials, real estate agents, and Bureau de Change operators were expected to testify.
Earlier, a vacation judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the temporary forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami.
Notices were issued to anyone with interest in the properties to appear in court and contest the forfeiture.
After the vacation period, the case files were transferred to Justice Egwuatu for continuation.
Malami has challenged the claims, asking the court to release three of the seized properties.
He said one property was inherited from his late father, while the others were bought before he became AGF.
Malami listed the assets, including a property in Kano, a duplex in Abuja, and a building for his foundation.
Through his lawyer, Malami argued that all properties were declared in asset forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
He outlined sources of his income, including salaries, allowances, business profits, loans, gifts, and proceeds from his book.
Malami insisted the EFCC failed to provide proof that the assets were acquired illegally.
He further accused the EFCC of inflating the value of the properties and suppressing facts to mislead the court.
Malami described the proceedings as a violation of his rights, including the right to property, presumption of innocence, and peaceful family life.
