Malami's Terror Financing Trial Adjourned to April 2024

The trial of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, concerning charges of terror financing has been stalled. The trial was adjourned on Tuesday due to a change in the prosecution team, with the Federal Government engaging a new prosecutor from the Department of State Services (DSS).

The case was handed over to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on March 4, 2024. During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the AGF, represented by Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, decided to review the case file before proceeding.

The defense counsel, Mr. Akinlolu Kehind, SAN, requested the adjournment, which was not opposed by the prosecution. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently deferred the commencement of the hearing until April 15-16, 2024.

Malami, who served as Minister of Justice from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, faces five counts related to terror financing and illegal possession of firearms, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties.