The federal high court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism financing trial of former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami and his son Abdulaziz to March 10, following the transfer of the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP). At Wednesday’s resumed proceedings, DPP Director Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that prosecutors needed additional time to familiarize themselves with the facts of the case.
Defense counsel Adedayo Adedeji did not oppose the application but urged the court to strike out the matter if the prosecution fails to open its case on the next adjourned date, citing lack of diligent prosecution. Malami and his son were arraigned by the DSS on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms. They were each granted N200 million bail with two sureties on February 27 and have pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Key Points
The case transfer to DPP introduces potential delays but may also signal more structured prosecution.
The defense’s threat to seek dismissal reflects impatience with procedural delays.
Malami faces allegations of abetting terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspects during his tenure as AGF.
The firearms charge adds a separate dimension to the case against the former justice minister.
The March 10 date now becomes critical for determining whether prosecution will proceed substantively.
Abubakar Malami’s terrorism trial enters a critical phase as the DPP takes over prosecution, with the defense already signaling frustration over delays, setting the stage for a March 10 showdown that could determine the case’s trajectory.
Sources: Court Proceedings
Comments are closed.