Malami, Son Arraigned in Abuja Over Alleged Terrorism Financing, Illegal Firearms Possession

A 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 sitting in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants were brought before the court on a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government, bordering on abetting terrorism financing, engaging in conduct preparatory to acts of terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Prosecution Seeks Trial, Remand in DSS Custody

According to Akahi News, when the matter was called, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Callistus Eze, informed the court that the charge, dated February 2 and filed on February 3, was ready to be read to the defendants.

“My Lord, before you is a five-count charge dated February 2 and filed on February 3. Subject to the overriding convenience of the court, I apply that the said charge be read to the defendants,” the prosecution stated.

After the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts. Following their pleas, the prosecution applied for a trial date and further requested that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services pending further proceedings.

Defence Seeks Bail, Court Insists on Formal Application

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Shuiabu Arua, SAN, made an oral application seeking bail for his clients. He urged the court to exercise its discretion in their favour, noting that the defendants had already spent two weeks in DSS custody and were brought to court directly from the hospital.

“We know that it is the discretion of the court to grant bail, and given that they have been in DSS custody for two weeks, we seek to apply orally for the bail of the defendants,” Arua said.

However, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, declined the oral request, insisting that a formal application must be filed.

“This is a court of record, so I order counsel to file and serve a formal bail application,” the judge ruled.

She subsequently adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of trial.

Details of the Charges

Akahi News gathered that the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, contains serious allegations against the former justice minister.

In count one, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation. The prosecution alleged that sometime in November 2022, at the Federal Ministry of Justice, he allegedly refused to prosecute certain suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office for legal action.

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

Counts two to five relate to both Malami and his son jointly. They are accused of engaging in conduct preparatory to committing acts of terrorism, as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to the prosecution, sometime in December 2025, at their residence in the Gesse Phase II area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, the defendants were allegedly found in possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm without a valid licence.

They were also alleged to have unlawfully possessed 16 live rounds and 27 expended rounds of Redstar cartridges without lawful authority.

The prosecution said the offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, punishable under Section 27(1) of the same Act.

Court Orders Continued Detention Pending Bail Hearing

While Malami is the sole defendant in the terrorism financing count, both father and son are jointly charged in the remaining counts relating to firearms and ammunition.

Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail application, while adjourning the case to February 20 for trial.

Legal analysts note that the case is likely to attract significant public attention, given Malami’s former position as the nation’s chief law officer and the gravity of the allegations before the court. Observers also stress that the outcome will test the judiciary’s handling of high-profile terrorism-related prosecutions in Nigeria.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.
Akahi News www.akahinews.org