The planned arraignment of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, on terrorism and illegal firearms charges was postponed due to a work-free day declared in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of Saturday’s area council elections.

The arraignment had been scheduled for Friday, February 20, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, but court operations were disrupted as staff, including judicial personnel, were not on duty.

DSS operatives had secured the court from 7:00 a.m. in anticipation of the arraignment. However, by 9:00 a.m., the decision was made to shelve proceedings after it became clear court staff would be absent.

Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and his son were previously arraigned before a vacation judge on the same charges. That judge later returned the case file to the Chief Judge, John Tsoho, for reassignment to a regular judge.

The matter was subsequently assigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who declined to proceed for personal reasons. Sources confirmed the arraignment has now been rescheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers while serving as AGF and Minister of Justice.

Both Malami and his son are also accused of storing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

During their previous arraignment, they pleaded not guilty to all five counts, which include: abetment of terrorism financing, possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm without a license, and possession of live and expended cartridges in violation of the Firearms Act 2004.

The charges detail alleged incidents occurring in November 2022 and December 2025, covering both acts of terrorism facilitation and illegal firearms possession at their Kebbi residence.

Security personnel remain on alert as the new arraignment date approaches, underscoring the high-profile nature of the case.