Dare Babalola
The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, cautioned legal practitioners appearing before it to desist from any conduct capable of delaying proceedings, warning that the court would not hesitate to invoke its contempt powers where necessary.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the warning during proceedings in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over properties allegedly linked to him.
At the sitting, counsel to the EFCC, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that the lead defence lawyer, J.B. Daudu, SAN, had earlier notified him of his inability to appear due to commitments at the Court of Appeal, adding that a representative had been sent alongside a letter explaining the situation.
“My Lord, I came and met the letter which was given to us, showing that he is before the Court of Appeal in two matters involving the PDP. But before then, My Lord, I had written to the learned senior counsel expressing my profound displeasure over the manner we have been treated in this matter,” Okutepa told the court.
Responding, Justice Abdulmalik stressed the importance of strict adherence to court directives, noting that adequate time had already been provided for interested parties to respond to the interim forfeiture order earlier issued.
“My directive is that this interim forfeiture was placed in a newspaper for fourteen days for parties to show cause. I am going to give a definite date for hearing. Any counsel whose processes are not in will be deemed to have shut himself out,” she said.
The judge further cautioned against any form of misconduct in the courtroom, insisting that litigants must comply with procedural timelines or risk being shut out of the case.
“If you are not satisfied with my decision, you can approach the appellate court. But at the next adjourned date, this matter will be heard. If your processes are not filed, they will be deemed abandoned. I will not entertain any rascality from any lawyer who decides to be unruly in my court. If need be, I will cite you for contempt, dock you and jail you,” she warned.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered all parties and interested persons to file and serve their processes on or before April 27, 2026, stating that any failure to comply would amount to forfeiture of the right to be heard.
“All parties and interested parties must file and serve their processes on or before April 27, 2026. Any defaulting party has shut itself out. Any process served after that date will not be recognized by this court,” she ruled.
She further directed that all responses be filed within the prescribed timelines to ensure readiness for accelerated hearing.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to May 26, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications.
