The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of his predecessor, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in the ongoing case involving terrorism and illegal firearms possession charges.
Fagbemi assumed responsibility from the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, announced Fagbemi’s appearance in court.
Oyedepo informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the trial could not proceed because the AGF had just taken over the prosecution and needed time to familiarise himself with the facts of the case.
Counsel to the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji, did not oppose the request for adjournment but urged the court to strike out the matter at the next date if the prosecution fails to open its case, citing lack of diligent prosecution.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to March 10, 2026, for trial and for the prosecution to formally open its case.
Malami and his son Abdulaziz face a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, filed by the DSS. The charges include knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to him 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 his son ₦200 million bail each, with two sureties in like sum who must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro.
The sureties were required to depose to an affidavit of means, submit two recent passport photographs, and deposit the title documents of the property with the Deputy Chief Registrar.
Malami and Abdulaziz were also ordered to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.
