The trial of Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, and his son, Abdulaziz, was on Friday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following a public holiday declared in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the area council elections.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to February 27 after Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, declared a work-free day to enable residents participate in the polls scheduled for Saturday, February 21.
A visit to the Federal High Court complex at about 9:00 a.m. showed minimal activity, with only a few court officials present and no lawyers or litigants in attendance, including the defendants.
Some lawyers and litigants who arrived at the premises were reportedly turned back due to the holiday.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had on February 3 arraigned Malami and his son on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the prosecution alleged that Malami, while serving as AGF, failed to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office.
The defendants were also accused of unlawfully warehousing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
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Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their arraignment, prosecution counsel Calistus Eze urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending trial. Defence counsel Shuaibu Aruwan, SAN, made an oral application for bail, arguing that his clients had been in DSS custody for over two weeks.
Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral bail application, noting that as a court of record, a formal bail application must be filed.
She subsequently ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
Meanwhile, Wike, in a special broadcast on national television and radio stations on Thursday, declared Friday a work-free day and announced restriction of movement across the FCT from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The minister urged residents to turn out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice in the election of chairmen and councillors across the six area councils.
“On Saturday, February 21, we will all have a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our great Federal Capital Territory. The election of either new or returning chairmen and councillors for the six area councils is a momentous occasion, and I urge you to come out in your numbers to exercise your right to vote,” he said.
The trial of Malami and his son is now expected to commence on February 27.
