Court adjourns Malami, son’s trial over public holiday in Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, until February 27, 2026.

The case, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against Malami and his son, was adjourned by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Friday, following a public holiday declared by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Nwike, ahead of the area council’s election scheduled for Saturday, February 21.

The DSS had, on February 3, arraigned the former AGF and his son on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

Malami is also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area in Birain Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty when the counts were read to them.

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Shortly after they pleaded to the charge, the prosecuting lawyer, Calistus Eze, prayed the court to order their remand in the custody of the DSS and fix a date for the commencement of trial.

But the defence lawyer, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN), applied orally for bail for the defendants, arguing that his clients had been in DSS’ custody for over two weeks.

Justice Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail application and ordered the defence to file a formal application for bail.

The judge, who ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS, adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of trial.

The Star