By Muhammad Mamman
A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism-financing trial of former Nigerian Attorney-General Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, giving prosecutors additional time to review the case file before the commencement of trial. 
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed a new date after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the case had recently been transferred to the Federal Ministry of Justice and required further review before proceedings could continue. 
“We ask your lordship for a very short date to enable us familiarise ourselves with the case file,” Oyedepo told the court while requesting the adjournment. 
Counsel for the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji, did not oppose the request but urged the court to strike out the case if the prosecution fails to open its case at the next hearing, citing what he described as a lack of diligent prosecution. 
The case stems from charges filed by Nigeria’s Department of State Services against Malami and his son over alleged terrorism-related offences. Prosecutors accuse the former justice minister of knowingly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to his office during his tenure as attorney-general in 2022. 
Both defendants also face charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Prosecutors allege that a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges and expended ammunition were found at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, in north-western Nigeria, without lawful authorisation. 
Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were first arraigned before the court earlier this year. 
The high-profile case has drawn national attention given Malami’s previous role as Nigeria’s chief law officer under former President Muhammadu Buhari. If convicted, the offences could attract severe penalties under Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the Firearms Act. 
The court is expected to reconvene on the next adjourned date, when prosecutors are required to formally open their case.
