The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms case against former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
The defendants were present in court when the case came up before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for hearing, he had only received instructions to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and needed time to consult 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,” Kehinde said.
Counsel to the defendants, Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the request for adjournment.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted the application and adjourned the matter to April 15 and 16 for trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier 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 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 Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of storing firearms at their residence in the Gesse Phase II Area of the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area in Kebbi State without lawful authority.
According to the DSS, Malami allegedly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers, an offense said to be contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In counts two to five, Malami and his son were charged with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The offenses are said to be punishable under the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The DSS handed over the prosecution of the case to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on March 4, when the matter was initially slated for the commencement of a full hearing.
