Ex-Attorney-General Malami, Son Face Court Over Terrorism Financing, Firearms Allegations

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, were on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The two defendants were brought before the Abuja Division of the court on a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government. Prosecuting counsel, Callistus Eze, informed the court that the charges relate to alleged abetment of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Addressing the court, Mr Eze stated that the charge, dated February 2 and filed on February 3, was ready to be read to the defendants, subject to the court’s convenience. The charges were subsequently read, and both defendants entered pleas of not guilty to all counts.

Following the pleas, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending further proceedings.

Counsel to the defendants, Shuaibu Arua, SAN, countered with an oral application seeking bail for his clients. He told the court that the defendants had already spent two weeks in DSS custody and had been brought to court directly from a hospital, urging the court to exercise its discretion in their favour.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, declined the oral request and directed the defence to file a formal bail application, stressing that the court is a court of record.

“I order counsel to file and serve a formal bail application,” Justice Abdulmalik ruled.

The case was adjourned to February 20 for the commencement of trial.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused in the first count of knowingly abetting terrorism financing during his tenure as attorney-general of the federation. The Department of State Services (SSS), which is prosecuting the case, alleged that in November 2022, Malami declined to prosecute certain individuals suspected of financing terrorism after their case files were submitted to his office.

The alleged offence is said to contravene Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In the remaining counts, Malami and his son are jointly charged with conduct allegedly preparatory to terrorist acts, as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The prosecution claimed that in December 2025, the defendants were found at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in possession of a Sturm Magnus firearm without a valid licence.

They were also alleged to have unlawfully possessed 16 live rounds and 27 expended rounds of Redstar cartridges.

The prosecution said the alleged offences are punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, with penalties outlined in Section 27(1) of the same Act.

While Malami alone is charged in the terrorism financing count, both defendants are jointly charged in the remaining counts relating to firearms and ammunition.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until February 20 and ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.