The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism and illegal firearms possession trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son Abdulaziz Malami to March 10, 2026.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the new date on Wednesday after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had taken over the prosecution from the Department of State Services (DSS).
Oyedepo explained that the AGF needed time to familiarise himself with the case file before proceeding.
Defence counsel Adedayo Adedeji did not oppose the adjournment but urged the court to strike out the charges at the next date if the prosecution fails to open its case, citing lack of diligent prosecution.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and directed the prosecution to formally open its case on March 10.
Malami and his son face a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, accusing them of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to Malami as AGF, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State.
The court had on February 27 granted Malami and Abdulaziz ₦200 million bail each, with two sureties in like sum owning landed property in Maitama or Asokoro. The sureties were required to depose to an affidavit of means, submit two recent passport photographs, and deposit title documents with the Deputy Chief Registrar.
Malami and Abdulaziz were also ordered to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.
The case is separate from the ongoing money laundering prosecution of Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and son Abdulaziz by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which re-arraigned them before Justice Abdulmalik on a 16-count charge following reassignment after two judges withdrew.
