On Tuesday, the Department of State Services (DSS) presented former Attorney- General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, in the Federal High Court in Abuja. They face serious allegations concerning terrorism financing and illegal firearm possession.
The pair was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on five counts linked to aiding terrorism, financing it, and unlawfully possessing banned firearms and ammunition, in breach of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Firearms Act of 2004.
The charge sheet indicates that Malami, who held the position of Attorney- General from 2015 until 2023, is implicated under Count One for allegedly facilitating terrorism financing by not prosecuting those accused of financing terrorism whose cases were brought to his office.
Specific Charges state that Malami is accused of “knowingly abetting terrorism financing by failing to prosecute individuals whose case files concerning terrorism financing were submitted to you during your tenure as Attorney- General of the Federation,” an act punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
Furthermore, both Malami and his son have been jointly accused in Counts Two through Five relating to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The DSS asserts that in December 2025, at their residence located in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, they were found with a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, along with sixteen live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges and twenty-seven spent cartridges, all without the necessary license.
The prosecution's case also maintains that their possession of such weapons suggested conduct “in preparation to commit an act of terrorism,” in violation of Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, along with breaches of Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act of 2004.
Upon the reading of the charges, both defendants entered a plea of not guilty to each count. Subsequently, the prosecuting attorney, Dr. C.S. Eze, requested for the defendants to remain in DSS custody until the trial begins.
During court proceedings, the defence attorney, Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, noted that Malami had been in DSS custody for approximately two weeks and attended the court hearing from a hospital. The defence also submitted an oral bail request.
However, Justice Abdulmalik refused the informal bail motion, emphasizing that the Federal High Court only accepts formal written bail applications.
The judge ordered for both Abubakar Malami and his son to remain in DSS custody and instructed the defence counsel to submit a formal bail application for record-keeping.
Justice Abdulmalik then postponed the case until February 20 for the bail hearing and the commencement of trial.
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