Federal High Court adjourns Malami terrorism trial to March 10, 2026, after prosecution requests time to review transferred case file
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the Malami terrorism trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until March 10, 2026.
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Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution required additional time to familiarise itself with the case file.
Rotimi Oyedepo explained that the file had only recently been transferred from the Department of State Services to the Department of Public Prosecutions.
He requested a short adjournment, stating that four days would suffice for proper preparation.
Counsel to the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji, did not oppose the application.
However, Adedayo Adedeji urged the court to strike out the case if the prosecution failed to open its case on the next adjourned date, alleging lack of diligent prosecution.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently directed the prosecution to formally open its case on March 10.
The Department of State Services had earlier arraigned Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Malami on six counts bordering on terrorism-related offences.
In one count, the Federal Government alleged that Abubakar Malami, in November 2022, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while serving as Attorney-General.
The charge is said to contravene Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another count alleged that Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Malami engaged in conduct preparatory to terrorism by possessing, without a licence, a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live cartridges and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025.
The prosecution further accused both defendants of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition under the Firearms Act.
At their first appearance before the court on February 3, 2026, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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The adjournment now places the spotlight firmly on the prosecution to proceed decisively when the matter resumes.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
