The scheduled bail application for former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), could not hold on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, declared the day a work-free day.
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The bail proceedings, which had been earlier adjourned for the court to consider Malami’s application, were expected to take place on Friday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja. However, in compliance with the FCT Minister’s directive, the court could not sit as scheduled, effectively stalling the bail process for the former AGF.
It was gathered that some of the lawyers and litigants who came to the Federal High Court on Friday morning, expecting normal court proceedings, were turned back by court officials who informed them that it was a work-free day. The development caught many by surprise, as the bail hearing had been widely anticipated.
Confirming the development, an eyewitness, Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sahihi, who was present at the Federal High Court, provided a first-hand account of the situation.
“We’re live from the Federal High Court where Malami’s court session with DSS was expected today. 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 hearing has now been officially rescheduled for February 27, 2026, meaning Malami and his co-defendant will have to wait at least another week before the court can hear and rule on their bail application.
The work-free day that disrupted the proceedings was declared by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in connection with the Saturday, February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in Abuja.
Wike had announced that Friday would be a work-free day within the Federal Capital Territory. In addition to the work-free declaration, the Minister also imposed restrictions on movement from 8:00 PM on Friday to 6:00 PM on Saturday to ensure a smooth and secure conduct of the Area Council elections.
The combination of the work-free day and the movement restrictions meant that all government offices, courts, and institutions within the FCT were effectively shut down for the day. The Federal High Court, being located within the FCT, was bound to comply with the directive, resulting in the adjournment of all scheduled cases, including Malami’s high-profile bail hearing.
Abubakar Malami (SAN), who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arraigned on February 3, 2026 alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The charges were filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s secret police, which slammed the father and son defendants with a five-count charge. The charges border on serious national security offences, specifically:
- Alleged terrorism financing
- Aiding and abetting terrorism
- Unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition
Both Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, pleaded not guilty to all five counts when they were arraigned before the court on February 3.
Following their not guilty pleas, the defence team applied for bail on behalf of the defendants. The court then adjourned to a later date to consider the bail application — which was the Friday hearing that has now been disrupted by the FCT work-free day declaration.
With the proceedings now rescheduled for February 27, 2026, the Federal High Court is expected to hear arguments on the bail application filed by Malami’s defence team. The court will also hear any objections from the Department of State Services, which prosecuted the case and may oppose the granting of bail given the severity of the terrorism-related charges.
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