FG Drops Terrorism Charge Against Malami, Son, Re-Arraigns Them for Arms Possession

The Federal Government has withdrawn terrorism financing charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, and replaced them with a fresh charge bordering on alleged illegal possession of arms and ammunition.

 

The prosecution team, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, made the application in court on Wednesday, seeking to substitute the earlier charge with an amended five-count charge.

 

The government told the court that the arms and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

 

Following the amendment, Malami—who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023—and his son were re-arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the new charges.

 

Defence counsel, Shuaibu Arua, did not oppose the withdrawal of the initial charge but urged the court to allow the defendants to retain the bail earlier granted to them. The prosecution raised no objection.

 

Trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently ruled that the existing bail conditions granted on February 27 would remain in effect.

 

The court adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

 

It will be recalled that the Department of State Services had earlier arraigned Malami and his son on February 3 over allegations that included terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

 

The initial charge accused Malami of allegedly failing to prosecute known terrorism financiers while in office. Both defendants were also accused of storing firearms without lawful authority at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

 

Under the amended charge, the case now focuses on alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.