Abuja – The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, until February 27.
The adjournment, handed down by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, followed the declaration of a public holiday by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Nwike, ahead of the Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday.
A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to Court 6 on the 3rd floor of the high-rise building at around 9 a.m. revealed that very few court staff were present. No lawyers, litigants, or the defendants were in attendance. Some lawyers and litigants who arrived were reportedly turned away due to the work-free day.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and his son on February 3 on a five-count charge relating to terrorism and illegal firearms possession. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, also alleges that Malami, during his tenure as AGF, refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were handed to him.
Additionally, Malami and Abdulaziz are accused of storing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, without lawful authority. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the arraignment, prosecuting lawyer Calistus Eze requested that the court remand the defendants in DSS custody and set a trial date. Defence lawyer Shuaibu Aruwan, SAN, sought bail, noting that the duo had been in DSS custody for over two weeks.
Justice Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail request, emphasizing that the court requires a formal application for bail. She subsequently ordered that Malami and his son remain in DSS custody and adjourned the trial until February 27.
