The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a five-count charge bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism, terrorism financing, and illegal possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
According to the charge sheet, Malami, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation between 2015 and 2023, is accused under Count One of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute alleged terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure.
The charge reads in part that Malami “did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation for prosecution,” an offence said to be punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both Malami and his son were jointly charged in Counts Two to Five for offences relating to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The DSS alleged that sometime in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, the defendants were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 live cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges, without the requisite licence.
The prosecution further alleged that the possession of the firearm and ammunition constituted conduct “in preparation to commit an act of terrorism,” contrary to Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as violations of Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004.
When the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel, Dr C.S. Eze, applied for the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the defendants, Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, informed the court that Malami had already been in DSS custody for about two weeks and added that the former Attorney-General attended the court session from hospital. The defence also made an oral application for bail.
However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral bail application, stressing that the Federal High Court is a court of record and can only entertain a formal, written bail application.
The trial judge subsequently ordered that both defendants be remanded in DSS custody and directed defence counsel to file a proper bail application for record purposes.
Justice Abdulmalik then adjourned the matter until February 20 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
Godfrey Eshiemoghie
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