Justice Emeka Nwite Warns Counsel in Malami Trial, “I am Unapproachable”

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, warned counsel in the trial of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN and two others to desist from approaching him for any favour, cautioning that his leniency should not be taken for granted.

“I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The best you can do for your clients is to get the best lawyers in this country. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned. So, I want to warn each and every litigant and lawyer appearing before this court that they should understand the way this court works. Please, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Any attempt to tarnish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned!”, he said

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Malami alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering offences to the tune of ₦8,713,923,759.49 (Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo).

The defendants were docked on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.