The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, is set to reassign the high-profile asset forfeiture case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to another judge.

The case follows an interim forfeiture order secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over assets valued at ₦212.8 billion. The order was granted in early January by the Federal High Court.

According to the EFCC, the 57 properties—spread across Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State—were allegedly acquired using proceeds linked to unlawful activities attributed to the former AGF.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who initially handled the matter and granted the interim forfeiture order on January 6, disclosed on Tuesday that he had returned the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. He explained that the move was in line with court procedures.

The judge had earlier fixed January 27 for the continuation of proceedings and possible issuance of a final forfeiture order.

However, when the court sat on Tuesday, the case was noticeably absent from the day’s cause list, which contained 24 other matters.

Despite this, several lawyers who had filed applications opposing the final forfeiture were present in court, alongside EFCC counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN.

As Justice Nwite prepared to commence proceedings, Okutepa drew the court’s attention to the scheduled hearing date, urging the judge to bring the matter to a conclusion.

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In response, Justice Nwite clarified that cases handled during court vacation periods—such as the Christmas and New Year break—are traditionally returned to the Chief Judge once normal court sittings resume. He added that the Chief Judge would subsequently reassign the case to any judge deemed appropriate for substantive hearing and conclusion.