The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulazeez Malami, was stalled on Wednesday following the take-over of the prosecution by the incumbent AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had last week adjourned the matter to March 4 for commencement of trial after admitting Malami and his son to bail in the sum of N200 million each.
However, when the case was called on Wednesday, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that Fagbemi had formally taken over the prosecution from the Department of State Services (DSS).
Oyedepo explained that the case file had just been delivered to the AGF, making it necessary for him to study it before proceeding.
Defence counsel Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), who appeared for Malami, expressed frustration over the delay and urged the judge to strike out the charge at the next adjourned date if the prosecution fails to open its case, citing lack of diligent prosecution.
Oyedepo described the request as premature and asked the court to ignore it.
After hearing arguments, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to March 10, 2026, for trial and directed the prosecution to formally open its case on that date.
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 charges include:
– Knowingly abetting terrorism financing (contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022)
– Engaging in conduct preparatory to terrorism by possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition (contrary to Section 29 of the same Act)
– Unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges (contrary to Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004)
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).
