The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has taken over the prosecution of his predecessor, Abubakar Malami.
Malami is facing serious charges of terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession. The Department of State Services (DSS) first brought the case.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stepped in on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court about the change.
“The trial cannot proceed because the attorney general has just taken over the prosecution,” Oyedepo said.
He asked for more time. The prosecution needs to review the facts and prepare properly.
Defense counsel Adedayo Adedeji did not oppose the request. However, he asked the court to strike out the case next time if the prosecution fails to start. He cited lack of diligent prosecution.
Court Adjourns Case
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment. She fixed March 10 for the trial to begin. The prosecution must open its case then.
Earlier, on February 27, the court granted Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, bail of ₦200 million each.
They needed two sureties. Each surety must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro. The titles go to the Deputy Chief Registrar. Sureties must also submit affidavits of means and two recent passport photos.
Malami and Abdulaziz must deposit their international passports and recent photos with the court.
The DSS arraigned the pair on a five-count charge. It is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026. In count one, Malami allegedly abetted terrorism financing.
He refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers. Their case files came to him during his time as AGF.
Counts two to five involve both father and son. They allegedly kept firearms and ammunition without license at their home in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, in December 2025.
The items include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended ones. These violate the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The case is drawing the ire of opposition African Democratic Party (ADC), whiech fears mostly its members are being targeted for prosecution.
Malami has been rumored to be preparing to run for the the governorship of his native Gombe State in 2027, before this trial put his ambition into jeopardy.
Nonetheless, the AGF’s direct role may speed up or change how the trial unfolds.
The March 10 date will show if the prosecution moves forward quickly.
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