The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday arraigned a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, AbdulAziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The defendants were docked before Justice Joyce AbdulMalik on a five-count charge bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism financing, engaging in conduct preparatory to acts of terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Both men pleaded “not guilty’ to all the Counts, when the charges were read to them.
According to the charge, Malami, in count one, is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while serving as AGF. The prosecution alleged that sometime in November 2022, at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Malami refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office for prosecution. The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In Counts-2 to 5, Malami and his son were jointly charged with engaging in conduct preparatory to committing acts of terrorism, as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The DSS alleged that in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse PhasejII Area, Birnin-Kebbi local government area of Kebbi State, the defendants were found in possession of a firearm without a licence, alongside 16 live rounds and 27 expended rounds of Redstar cartridges.
The prosecution said the alleged offences contravene Sections 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, punishable under Section 27(1) of the same Act.
When the matter was called, prosecuting counsel, Callistus Eze, applied for the charges dated February 2 and filed February 3 to be read to the defendants. Following their not-guilty pleas, he asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
Counsel to the defendants, Shuiabu Arua, SAN, made an oral application for bail. In a brief ruling, Justice AbdulMalik directed the defence to file a formal bail application and adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of trial.
The court also ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.
Malami was earlier arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud and money laundering before the case was taken over by the DSS.
