Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has formally recused himself from two high-profile cases involving the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). The judge announced his decision on Thursday, citing personal reasons and the overarching interest of justice. This move, he stated, is crucial to ensure fairness and maintain public confidence in the judicial process.

The cases, which involve serious allegations against Malami, were recently reassigned to Justice Egwuatu by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. They were previously overseen by Justice Emeka Nwite, who served as a vacation judge during the Christmas break.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had initially brought a 16-count charge against Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and Asabe Bashir, a staff member of Rahamanniyya Properties Ltd. These charges border on alleged money laundering, involving sums reported to exceed N9 billion. The defendants were accused of conspiring to conceal the origin of various properties located in prime areas of Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano states, with a combined estimated value of approximately N9 billion.

Further investigations by the anti-graft agency revealed additional assets. In December 2025, the EFCC reportedly traced 41 properties, valued at N212 billion, to Malami as part of an ongoing investigation into his tenure in office. These properties encompass a wide range of assets, including hotels, residential buildings, lands, schools, and a printing press, spread across Kebbi, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) also arraigned Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. They face a five-count criminal charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004. According to court documents, Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer until 2023, was charged solely under Count One, while he and his son were jointly charged under Counts Two to Five.

Count One specifically accuses the former Attorney General of knowingly abetting terrorism financing during his tenure. The DSS alleged that in November 2022, at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, Malami deliberately refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office for legal action. This alleged offense is contrary to and punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Counts Two to Five charge both Malami and his son with engaging in preparatory acts of terrorism and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition without a valid license. The DSS claimed that sometime in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, the defendants were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges. Count Two highlights this as a preparatory act to commit terrorism, punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.