By Nick Ibe

An Abuja Federal High Court has set July 10, 2026 as new date for judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under the President Buhari government.

The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik had earlier fixed Monday, July 6, 2026 for judgment after both parties adopted their final processes and argued the case on May 26. However, the judge moved her judgment to Friday, July 10, 2026

The EFCC previously secured an interim forfeiture order for the assets, valued at over N212 billion. The properties are located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna. The EFCC had argued that the properties were proceeds of official corruption and abuse of office.

Malami’s legal team challenged the move, asserting that the assets were legitimately acquired by the former minister who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

At the last hearing, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, counsel to the EFCC prayed the court to grant the application, relying on a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits filed in support of the motion.

Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents in the matter failed to satisfactorily explain the legitimate sources of the assets and urged the court to order their permanent forfeiture.

In response, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, counsel to Malami and other respondents, asked the court to dismiss the application and set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.

Adedeji relied on a counter-affidavit deposed to by Malami, arguing that the EFCC’s case was founded on suspicion rather than credible evidence.

Justice Abdulmalik fixed July 10, 2026 for judgment in the matter.

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday swore in Hon. Justice Christine Terlumun Clement Ende as a Judge of the Benue State High Court during a ceremony at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.

The governor described the appointment as a significant milestone for justice delivery in the state, citing Justice Ende’s distinguished career spanning over three decades in legal practice, judicial administration, human rights advocacy, and public service.

According to the governor, Justice Ende’s wealth of experience, including service at African Bank Plc, the National Human Rights Commission, and as Deputy Chief Registrar and Admiralty Marshal of the Federal High Court, attests to her competence and preparedness for the Bench.

The appointment increases the number of judges in Benue State from 32 to 33. It also raises the number of female judges from 13 to 14, a development the governor said reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusivity, equal opportunity, and women’s advancement in leadership.

Reaffirming his administration’s “HE for SHE” philosophy, Alia stressed that sustainable development requires giving women equal opportunities to contribute their talents to nation-building.

The governor urged Justice Ende to uphold the Constitution and discharge her duties with integrity, independence, courage, and fairness, noting that the judiciary remains “the last hope of the common man.”

He commended the National Judicial Council, the Judicial Service Commission, and the leadership of the Benue State Judiciary for their roles in the appointment, and assured continued government support to strengthen justice delivery and the rule of law.

Friday in Abuja, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court frowned at the attitude of Johnmary Jideobi, the plaintiff, and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, for their lack of diligence in pursuing a suit filed to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The judge described the delay tactics of both the plaintiff and his lawyer, which have been instrumental in delaying proceedings in the case as “unacceptable.” Consequently, he imposed a fine of one million Naira against the plaintiff, to be paid to former president Jonathan.

“I have carefully and painstakingly considered all the submissions and prayers of the learned counsel in this matter. As this court has earlier ruled and ordered, this case has a character of politics. I have taken judicial notice of the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The duty of this court is to ensure that political cases are given accelerated hearing and disposed of expeditiously. In that wise, and as earlier stated, this court reiterates the provisions of the National Judicial Policy in case management”, the court held.

Justice Lifu queried why the plaintiff filed the suit since October 6, 2025, but had not deemed it fit to serve ordering it “is hereby granted grace of two hours from now, that is 10:30 am, to serve all the processes on INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who are 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit.

“The 2nd and 3rd defendants are hereby ordered to file and serve their responses, if any, before 11am on Monday, 18th of May, 2026.

“By consent of counsel, this suit is adjourned to May 18th, 2026, by 12 noon for definite hearing of the originating summons and all pending applications,” Justice Lifu held.

He gave account of how counsel for the former president (1st defendant), Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court on May 8, when the case came up that they got the information about the suit in the media and decided to file and serve their processes.

The judge expressed disappointment also that on May 11, neither Jideobi, who is also a lawyer, nor Ukpai was in court despite fixing the hearing time at 2 pm at the instance of the plaintiff’s lawyer on May 5.

He further noted that though Uche asked for a N5 million cost, the request was not granted in the interest of fair hearing.

“On May 11 , this court refused to grant the 1st defendant’s application for a cost of N5 million. Today, it is crystal clear that the plaintiff did not serve the originating summons on the 2nd and 3rd defendants since October 6, 2025.

“This case is for hearing today and the hearing has been frustrated or aborted due to the tardiness of the plaintiff who is a lawyer by training and calling. Hearing cannot go on now. Consequently, I hold that punishment should lie where the fault is.

“I hereby award the cost of N1 million against the plaintiff but in favour of the 1st defendant only. I so rule” Justice Lifu held.

Earlier, when the case was called on Friday, 15th May 2026, neither Jideobi nor Ukpai was in court again, but counsel to the former president, Uche, and AGF’s counsel, J. D. Esho, were in court.

Justice Lifu then confirmed from the registrar if the plaintiff and INEC were served with hearing notices.

The former president’s lawyer, therefore, applied that the case be dismissed with substantial cost due to the plaintiff’s continued absence in court.

Uche said the plaintiff and his lawyer did not see the reason to either write to the court or the defendants on why they would not be in court.

The senior lawyer said Jideobi and Ukpai, in their manner, had portrayed absolute disdain and disrespect to the court and expressed surprise that the plaintiff, who initiated the suit, dragged a former Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country to court for nothing and abandoned the case.

“The plaintiff thinks he can hold the court and other parties to ransom, and stay back in the comfort of his house and drag all of us to court,” he said and added, there must be consequence for every action.

“They think the courts are toothless bulldog and the dignity of the court must be protected my lord,” he said and urged the court to invoke its disciplinary power on the plaintiff and dismiss the case as being an abuse of court process.

AGF’s lawyer, Esho, told the court that her office was served with the ex-president’s response to the suit on May 11, saying they were yet to be served with the originating summons of the plaintiff.

The registrar also confirmed that, though INEC was served with hearing notice of the day’s sitting, the commission had not also been served with the plaintiff’s processes.

Midway into the case, Ukpai entered the court and apologised for his lateness.

After taking submissions of all the lawyers, the judge adjourned the matter till May 18 for definite hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit at 12 noon.