Judge quits Malami’s N212.8bn assets forfeiture case

Chief Judge John Tsoho of the Federal High Court is expected to assign a new judge to the asset forfeiture case concerning 57 properties seized from former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained an order of interim forfeiture of the N212.8 billion worth […]

Chief Judge John Tsoho of the Federal High Court is expected to assign a new judge to the asset forfeiture case concerning 57 properties seized from former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained an order of interim forfeiture of the N212.8 billion worth of assets from the court on 7 January, alleging that the properties located in Abuja, Kano and Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, were acquired with proceeds of Mr Malami’s unlawful activities.
Emeka Nwite, the judge who issued the interim forfeiture order, announced on Tuesday that he had returned the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to a new judge expected to conclude the proceedings.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwite ordered an interim forfeiture of the 57 properties on 6 January and adjourned proceedings to 27 January (Tuesday) for the issuance of final forfeiture order.
However, the matter was not among the 24 cases listed for hearing on Tuesday, although some lawyers who had filed processes to oppose the issuance of final forfeiture of the assets were present in court.
The lawyer to the EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, a SAN, was also present in court.
When the judge, Nwite, was about to begin sitting, Okutepa reminded him that the case was scheduled for Tuesday for a report of compliance.
Mr Okutepa urged the judge to conclude proceedings on the matter.
But Mr Nwite told the lawyer that it was the court’s tradition that all matters assigned to a judge during any vacation, like the last Christmas/New Year break, must be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment as soon as the regular court sessions resumed.
According to him, the chief judge will reassign the matter substantively to any judge of his choice.
Malami, who is being detained by the State Security Service (SSS), faces separate N8.7 billion money laundering charges before Judge Nwite. (NAN/Premium Times)