- The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Abubakar Malami and his son to February 27
- The adjournment follows a public holiday declared by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike
- Malami and his son are facing five-count charges including terrorism and illegal firearms possession
The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, has been postponed by the Federal High Court in Abuja until February 27.
The adjournment was ordered on Friday, February 20, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following a public holiday declared by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of the area council election scheduled for Saturday, February 21.
The case, instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), could not proceed due to the work-free day.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited Court 6 on the third floor of the high-rise complex at about 9 a.m., observed that only a few court staff were present. No lawyers or litigants were seen in court, including Malami and his son.
It was gathered that some lawyers and litigants who arrived at the court premises were turned back in compliance with the public holiday directive.
The DSS had, on Feb. 3, arraigned the former AGF and his son on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were reportedly handed to him during his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice.
Both defendants are further accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty when the counts were read to them.
Following their plea, prosecuting counsel Calistus Eze asked the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
In response, defence counsel Shuaibu Aruwan, SAN, made an oral application for bail, arguing that his clients had already spent over two weeks in DSS custody.
Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral bail request, stating that her court is a court of record, and directed the defence to file a formal bail application.
The judge subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the matter until Feb. 20 for the commencement of trial.