The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday postponed the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, to Feb. 27.
The case, brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), was delayed by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following a public holiday declared by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Nwike, ahead of the area council elections scheduled for the weekend.
A visit to Court 6 on the third floor of the high-rise building showed minimal staff presence, with no lawyers, litigants, or the defendants in attendance. Some legal representatives and litigants who came to the court were turned away due to the work-free day.
The DSS had arraigned Malami and his son on Feb. 3 on a five-count charge related to terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms. In the charges, Malami is accused of failing to prosecute alleged financiers of terrorism during his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice.
Both defendants are also alleged to have stored firearms without legal authority at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State. Malami and Abdulaziz pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
After the plea, prosecuting counsel Calistus Eze requested that the court remand the duo in DSS custody and fix a trial date. The defence lawyer, Shuaibu Aruwan, SAN, sought oral bail, citing that the defendants had been detained for over two weeks.
Justice Abdulmalik denied the oral bail application, instructing the defence to submit formal applications, and ordered that Malami and his son remain in DSS custody. The court adjourned proceedings until Feb. 20 to commence the trial.