By Nkechi Eze
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has warned lawyers appearing before her against any conduct capable of delaying proceedings, declaring that the court would not hesitate to invoke its contempt powers where necessary.
In an official signed statement, the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the warning was issued during proceedings in a case involving the Commission and a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over properties linked to him.
At the hearing, counsel to the EFCC, J. S. Okutepa, informed the court that he had earlier been contacted by lead defence counsel, J. B. Daudu, who indicated his engagement at the Court of Appeal on urgent matters and that a representative would attend with a formal letter.
“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 said.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik stressed the importance of strict compliance with court directives, noting that the interim forfeiture order had been published for fourteen days to allow interested parties to show cause.
“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 issued a stern warning against unruly conduct in court, stating that any lawyer dissatisfied with her ruling should seek redress at the appellate court rather than disrupt proceedings.
“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 declared.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently directed all parties and interested persons to file and serve their processes on or before April 27, 2026, warning that any default would result in such parties being shut out of the proceedings.
“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.
The matter was adjourned to May 26, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.
