The bail hearing of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), facing terrorism-related charges filed by Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS), suffered an unexpected setback on Friday after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja were abruptly halted due to a work-free day declaration.
It was learnt that the session scheduled for February 20, 2026, could not proceed despite earlier expectations that the court would rule on Malami’s bail application.
“We’re live from the Federal High Court where Malami’s court session with DSS was expected today,” an eyewitness at the court premises, Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sahihi, disclosed on Facebook on Friday morning. “The judge had earlier adjourned for bail consideration, but court officials surprisingly announced today is a work-free day. Proceedings have now been rescheduled to February 27, 2026.”
The development has prolonged the former justice minister’s stay in custody, with his bail application now hanging in uncertainty pending the next hearing date.
Malami was arraigned on February 3 alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following charges filed by the DSS.
The secret police slammed the defendants with a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the charge sheet, the DSS accused Malami of knowingly abetting terrorism financing during his tenure as Attorney-General by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office.
The agency further alleged that in December 2025, operatives recovered a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges from the defendants’ residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without valid licences.
Both Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read in open court.
Following their arraignment, defence counsel applied orally for bail, but Justice Abdulmalik rejected the request, insisting that only a properly filed written application could be entertained by the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to February 20 for hearing of the bail application and possible commencement of trial, a session that has now been postponed due to the unexpected suspension of court activities.
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