Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, warned counsel appearing before her against engaging in conduct capable of stalling proceedings, threatening to invoke the court’s contempt powers where necessary.

The warning came during proceedings in a matter involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over properties allegedly linked to him.

At the hearing, counsel to the EFCC, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that he had earlier received a call from lead defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, notifying him of his engagement at the Court of Appeal on time-sensitive matters and indicating that a representative would attend with a letter to that effect.

“My Lord, I came and met the letter which was given to us, showing that he is before the Court of Appeal in two matters involving the PDP. But before then, My Lord, I had written to the learned senior counsel expressing my profound displeasure over the manner we have been treated in this matter,” Okutepa said.

In her response, Justice Abdulmalik emphasised the need for strict compliance with court directives, noting that the interim forfeiture order had been published for fourteen days to enable interested parties to show cause.

“My directive is that this interim forfeiture was placed in a newspaper for fourteen days for parties to show cause. I am going to give a definite date for hearing. Any counsel whose processes are not in will be deemed to have shut himself out,” she said.

The judge further warned against any form of misconduct in court, stating: “If you are not satisfied with my decision, you can approach the appellate court. But at the next adjourned date, this matter will be heard. If your processes are not filed, they will be deemed abandoned. I will not entertain any rascality from any lawyer who decides to be unruly in my court. If need be, I will cite you for contempt, dock you, and jail you.”

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered all parties and interested persons to file and serve their processes on or before April 27, 2026.

“All parties and interested persons must file and serve their processes on or before April 27, 2026. Any defaulting party has shut itself out. Any process served after that date will not be recognised by this court,” she ruled.

She added that responses must be filed within stipulated timelines to ensure readiness for hearing.

The matter was adjourned to May 26, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
April 21, 2026

The trial of Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, was stalled on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, following an adjournment at the request of his new counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, to enable him familiarise himself with the facts of the case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ali Bello, who is also the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, alongside Dauda Sulaiman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00 (Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).

At the commencement of proceedings, the new defence counsel informed the court that he was briefed on the matter only the previous day and needed time to study the case file and familiarise himself with the facts. He added that he had informed the prosecution and was seeking an adjournment.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the oral application on the grounds that the existing defence counsel, A.M. Aliyu, SAN, ought to have formally notified the court in advance about the introduction of new counsel, in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

“My Lord, I can confirm that he spoke to me this morning, and I told my learned brother that I do not have the power to do anything about that. A.M. Aliyu should have made a formal application, but he is yet to do so. I refer Your Lordship to Sections 46, 47, and 49 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which outline the procedure to be followed where a defendant intends to engage additional counsel. The counsel stepping aside must inform the court by way of an application with clear dates, and the law stipulates not less than three days before the date fixed for hearing. I urge Your Lordship not to grant the request for adjournment on account of a speculative application that has not yet been filed,” he said.

However, Justice Omotosho granted the request in the interest of fair hearing and adjourned the trial to May 5 and 6, 2026.

Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the bail hearing of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai to the first week of June, 2026.

El-Rufai is being arraigned on multiple charges bordering on alleged financial crime and abuse of office by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“Similarly, another charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule (LEDA) has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division,” the ICPC said last month.

“The charges in the State High Court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others. Both charges were filed by the ICPC on the 18th of March, 2026.”

Speaking after the court session, counsel to the former governor, Ukpon Akpan, kicked against the lingering adjournment of the bail hearing by one presiding judge as politically motivated.

The high-profile case has drawn significant public attention, with heightened security presence observed around the court premises.

The former governor had arrived at the court at about 9 am in a convoy accompanied by ICPC officials and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

During the proceedings, supporters of the former governor gathered outside the courtroom, while security agencies maintained order and restricted movement within the vicinity.

Inside the courtroom, journalists, as usual, were not allowed, as proceedings are expected to focus on arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution regarding the bail request.

At the last sitting, the defence team had maintained that their client poses no flight risk and is willing to comply with all conditions set by the court.

Meanwhile, the prosecution has urged the court to carefully consider the gravity of the charges.

The 66-year-old former governor of Kaduna has been in ICPC custody since February 19 following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai, a former minister of the FCT, was, however, released on March 27 based on compassionate grounds following his mother’s death.