Malami, Son Arraigned Over Terrorism Financing, Illegal Firearms Possession

Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, were on Tuesday arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges of allegedly abetting terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The duo faced a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government on February 3, 2026. Both pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

During proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Dr. C. S. Eze, informed the court that the case was ready for trial and sought a date. He also requested that the defendants remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending further legal processes.

Counsel to the defendants, Shuaibu Aruwa, applied for bail, noting that the defendants had spent about two weeks in DSS custody. He added that one of them was brought directly from the hospital and urged the court to grant bail on compassionate grounds.

Justice Abdulmalik directed the defence to file and serve a formal bail application and adjourned the case to February 20, 2026, for trial.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the Federal Government alleged that Malami, in November 2022, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute individuals suspected of funding terrorism, whose files were forwarded to his office during his tenure as AGF. The offence contravenes Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution further alleged that Malami and his son, in December 2025, possessed a Sturm Magnum firearm, sixteen live cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without a licence. This conduct was described as preparatory to an act of terrorism and contravenes the Firearms Act, 2004.

The DSS is leading the prosecution in the case.