The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, over allegations of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms to April 15 and 16.
Both defendants were present in court as the matter was called before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
During the proceedings, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, representing the prosecution, informed the court that the case had been scheduled for hearing.
However, Kehinde told the court that he had only received instructions to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and therefore required time to confer with witnesses.
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses.
“I most humbly ask for another date,” he said.
Counsel to the defendants, Mr Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and adjourned the matter until April 15 and 16 for trial.
The Department of State Services, DSS, had arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026 and filed before the court in Abuja, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly forwarded to him while he served as AGF and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of warehousing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi without lawful authority.
The Department of State Services (DSS) alleged in count one that Abubakar Malami knowingly facilitated terrorism financing by failing to prosecute the alleged financiers, in violation of Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In counts two through five, Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, were charged with the illegal possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The offences, the DSS stated, contravene and are punishable under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The case was handed over to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on March 4, ahead of the scheduled commencement of the full hearing.