Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial after the Federal High Court in Abuja could not proceed with the case on Friday, forcing an adjournment that underlined how civic and electoral schedules can ripple into the justice system.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to February 27, 2026, after a public holiday was declared in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the area council elections scheduled for Saturday. 
Court observers said the holiday effectively thinned out essential personnel and halted normal sittings, leaving the courtroom with minimal staff presence and no meaningful proceedings. 
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial, but the adjournment does not resolve the substance of the allegations now hanging over the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz.
What happened in court
By the time counsel and parties would ordinarily be taking appearances, the court environment was already reflecting the reality of the FCT holiday. The presiding judge, Justice Abdulmalik, consequently shifted the matter to February 27 for continuation. 
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial in what is turning into a closely watched prosecution with significant political weight, given Malami’s former role as Nigeria’s chief law officer and the sensitivity of the accusations.
The public holiday itself was linked to the FCT’s local polls, a development that has become politically charged in recent months because the elections are run by INEC and often read as a barometer of grassroots strength in the nation’s capital. 
What the DSS is alleging
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial, but the charges remain on the record.
The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned Malami and his son earlier in February on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism-related allegations and unlawful possession of firearms, according to court filings cited in multiple reports. 
A central plank of the DSS case is an allegation that Malami, while serving as Attorney-General, refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, despite case files reportedly forwarded to his office for prosecution. 
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial as the prosecution also alleges illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition at a residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. 
It is important to stress that these claims remain allegations before the court, and will be tested through evidence, cross-examination, and judicial determination.
https://ogelenews.ng/public-holiday-stalls-malami-sons-trial
Why the adjournment matters
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial, and while adjournments are routine in Nigerian courts, this one is politically and administratively instructive.
First, it shows how governance decisions, including election-linked holidays, can disrupt court calendars and slow high-profile proceedings. Reports from the court complex indicated sparse staffing on the morning of the planned sitting, illustrating how quickly formal justice processes can be affected by administrative directives. 
Second, in a case with terrorism-linked allegations, delays tend to attract sharper public attention, partly because national security prosecutions are expected to move with urgency, and partly because they shape public confidence in institutions.
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial, but the bigger story is the prosecution’s attempt to build a case that touches both on alleged operational conduct (possession of prohibited items) and alleged official conduct (failure to prosecute certain files), a combination that can widen the scope of witness lists and documentary exhibits.
What to watch on Feb 27
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial now, but the February 27 sitting becomes the next key date for three things:
1. Proceedings on the record: whether the prosecution moves to advance the case substantially, beyond routine mentions.
2. Defence posture: whether Malami and Abdulaziz challenge jurisdiction, seek bail variations, or push back on counts via preliminary objections (where applicable).
3. Clarity on the charge narrative: courts often demand sharper particulars as cases progress, especially in security-related matters.
For now, the court has only done what the schedule forced it to do: move the matter forward on the calendar.
Public holiday stalls Malami, son’s trial, but the legal reckoning is merely paused, not ended.
https://punchng.com/public-holiday-stalls-malami-sons-trial
