It is anticipated that Chief Judge John Tsoho of the Federal High Court will choose a new judge for the asset forfeiture case involving Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to reports, on January 7, the court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order for the interim seizure of assets valued at ₦212.8 billion.
The homes in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, and Abuja, Kano, 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 back 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. The final forfeiture order will be issued on Tuesday, January 27.
Despite the presence of certain attorneys who had filed procedures to contest the issuing of ultimate seizure of the assets, the case was not one of the 24 cases scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.
Additionally present in court was Jibrin Okutepa, a SAN who represents the EFCC.
Okutepa reminded Judge Nwite that the case was set for a report of compliance on Tuesday as he was about to start sitting.
Okutepa begged the judge to bring the case to a close.
Nwite informed the attorney that it was customary for the court to return all cases allocated to a judge during a holiday, such as the most recent Christmas/New Year break, to the Chief Judge for reassignment as soon as the regular court sessions started.
He claims that the chief judge will substantively shift the case to any judge he chooses.
