Court Approves N200 Million Bail for Malami in Terrorism and Firearm Case

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has set bail at N200 million for Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation, and his son, Abdulaziz. This decision comes amid allegations of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms against them brought forth by the Department of State Service (DSS).

During the ruling held on February 27, the judge instructed that both Malami and Abdulaziz remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until they fulfill the bail conditions imposed by the court.

The court granted the bail while considering the applications presented by their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

The judge mandated that each man must provide two sureties, with at least one having ownership of property in either Maitama or Asokoro. Furthermore, the property titles must be submitted to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, alongside valid international passports.

Additionally, the sureties must complete an affidavit of means and present two recent passport photographs to the court.

Malami and his son are also required to hand over their international passports and provide recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge scheduled March 4 for the trial to begin.

The DSS charged Malami and his son with five counts related to terrorism and illegal firearms possession. The allegations suggest that Malami failed to prosecute terrorist financiers whose cases were presented to him during his tenure as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

Both men are also accused of illegally storing firearms at their residence located in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

Specifically, the DSS accused Malami in the first count of knowingly facilitating terrorism financing, while the former AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5720 cartridges, and 27 spent Redstar AAA 520 cartridges, in violation of sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Firearms Act of 2004.