The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge relating to alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge filed by the DSS, Malami is accused of refusing to prosecute individuals suspected of financing terrorism while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice. The ex-AGF and his son are also alleged to have stored firearms illegally at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The charges are divided as follows: Count one accuses Malami of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by neglecting to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were submitted to his office. Counts two to five implicate both Malami and Abdulaziz in unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and twenty-seven expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
When the charges were read to them, both father and son pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel, Calistus Eze, requested that the court remand the defendants in DSS custody and fix a trial date. Defense lawyer, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN), applied orally for bail, noting that the Malamis had already been in DSS custody for over two weeks.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail application, stressing that the court requires formal applications for bail and is a court of record. She ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody and adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of trial.
The formal charges allege that:
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Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing in November 2022 by refusing to prosecute suspected financiers while serving as AGF at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.
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Malami and Abdulaziz unlawfully possessed a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm and associated ammunition at their residence in December 2025, in preparation to commit acts of terrorism.
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They unlawfully held sixteen live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges and twenty-seven expended cartridges without a licence, contrary to sections of the Firearms Act, 2004.
The arraignment marks the latest high-profile legal proceeding involving a former top government official in Nigeria, with national attention on the case expected to intensify as the trial date approaches.
