Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday recused himself from two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Egwuatu, who was recently reassigned to the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, cited personal reasons and the need to protect the interest of justice as grounds for his decision to withdraw from the cases.
The development occurred as a civil suit seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami came up for mention before the court.
The cases were previously handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as a vacation judge during the Christmas period.
Malami is also facing prosecution by the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), over allegations bordering on terrorism financing.