The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the two high-profile cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami to a new trial judge following the recusal of Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
The case files, which were remitted back to the Chief Judge by Justice Egwuatu on February 12, 2026, after he withdrew from both suits for “personal reasons and in the better interest of justice,” have now been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Justice Abdulmalik has fixed February 27, 2026, for the next hearing in the two matters. Civil Asset Forfeiture Suit. An interim forfeiture order was earlier granted concerning 57 properties linked to Malami, which he has challenged as unlawfully acquired or politically motivated.
Criminal Money Laundering Charge: A multi-billion-naira case involving ₦8.7 billion allegedly laundered by Malami, his wife Hajia Asabe Bashir, and his son Abdulaziz Malami. Both cases had initially been heard by Justice Emeka Nwite before being reassigned to Justice Egwuatu, who subsequently recused himself.
Malami has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as “selective prosecution” and “politically driven vendetta” following his defection from the APC and his vocal criticism of the Tinubu administration. His legal team has filed multiple fundamental rights suits and preliminary objections in related proceedings.
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The reassignment comes amid heightened scrutiny of anti-corruption cases involving former high-ranking officials and adds to the growing list of high-profile matters being reassigned or delayed in the Federal High Court.
Neither the EFCC nor Malami’s legal team has issued an immediate reaction to the reassignment and new hearing date. The February 27 sitting is expected to address pending applications, including bail variations, objections to jurisdiction, and the substantive hearing.
This is a developing story.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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