A former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz, was on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government, bordering on abetting terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
When the case was called, prosecuting counsel, Mr Callistus Eze, informed the court that the charge, dated 2 February and filed on 3 February, was ready to be read to the defendants, subject to the court’s approval.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Following their pleas, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending further proceedings.
Counsel to the defendants, Mr Shuiabu Arua, SAN, made an oral application for bail, arguing that his clients had been in DSS custody for two weeks and had arrived in court directly from hospital care.
However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral application, directing defence counsel to file a formal bail request, noting that the court was a court of record.
The judge adjourned the matter until 20 February for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused in the first count of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Department of State Services alleged that in November 2022, Malami declined to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office.
In counts two to five, Malami and his son were jointly charged with engaging in conduct preparatory to acts of terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The prosecution alleged 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 Magnum firearm without a licence, as well as 16 live rounds and 27 expended rounds of Redstar cartridges.
The offences are said to be contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
