The legal case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, began after the Department of State Services arraigned them on February 3, 2026, over allegations linked to terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
Prosecutors claimed Malami failed to act on case files involving suspected terrorism financiers during his time in office, while also accusing both defendants of illegally storing weapons at their residence in Birnin Kebbi.
Both men denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. They were later granted bail of ₦200 million each with two sureties. The case has since remained under judicial review at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Joyce Abdulmalik.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Justice Minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was initially accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspects whose case files were forwarded to his office. In the original charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, both he and his son were also accused of unlawfully possessing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
Why Abubakar Malami and Son Terrorism Charges Were Dropped
The Federal Government withdrew the terrorism financing allegations as part of a legal adjustment to the case, replacing them with a revised charge focused on alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
At the latest court session, prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), representing the DSS, applied to substitute the initial charge with an amended one. The new charge centres on claims that arms and live cartridges were found at Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.
Following the amendment, Malami and his son took fresh pleas of not guilty to the five-count charge. Defence counsel Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), who did not oppose the amendment, urged the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted to them, a request that was not challenged by the prosecution.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ruled that the existing bail granted on February 27 would remain in effect, noting that all conditions had already been met. The court then adjourned the case to May 26 and June 15 for trial.
The amended charge now focuses solely on allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition under relevant laws, effectively removing the earlier claims tied to terrorism financing.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
