The criminal proceedings involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, were on Friday, February 20, 2026, postponed by the Federal High Court in Nigeria’s capital city.
The adjournment followed a public holiday declared in Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of area council elections scheduled for Saturday.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik shifted the case to Friday, February 27, 2026.
When journalists visited Court 6 of the Federal High Court complex at about 9:00 am West African Time, only a few court officials were seen. The defendants and their lawyers were absent.
Some lawyers and litigants who arrived at the court for other matters were reportedly asked to leave because of the work-free day declared by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The Department of State Services, Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, had on Monday, February 3, 2026, arraigned Malami and his son on a five-count charge. The charges relate to terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the agency accused Malami of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers despite receiving case files while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The agency also alleged that firearms were kept at the defendants’ residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
Both men pleaded not guilty to all counts.
After the arraignment, prosecuting counsel Calistus Eze asked the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services and to set a trial date.
Defence counsel Shuaibu Aruwan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made an oral application for bail. He argued that the defendants had already been held for over two weeks.
Justice Abdulmalik rejected the oral request, explaining that her court requires a formal written bail application. She directed the defence to file the necessary documents.
The case is now expected to continue on February 27.