Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two others.

The cases were assigned to Justice Egwuatu shortly after the court’s last vacation by the Chief Judge after the case files were returned by Justice Emeka Nwite who heard the cases during the vacation.

Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal from the cases shortly after the first one, which relates to assets forfeiture, was called.

The judge said he decision to withdraw from the case was for personal reasons and in the interest of justice.

He said the case files would be returned to the Chief Judge for re-arraigment to another judge.

The first case, relating to alleged N8.7billon money laundering, involves Malami, his Abdulaziz and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former minister.

The second case is in relation to

assets forfeiture, involving Malami alone, in which the agency is targeting about 57 property allegedly acquired unlawfully by the ex-AGF.