The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja. They face charges including alleged terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecuting counsel, Dr C.S. Eze, applied for their remand in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial. Malami’s counsel, S.A. Alua, SAN, made an oral application for bail, but the judge ruled that only a written application could be considered. The matter was adjourned to February 20 for hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.
According to the five-count charge, Malami is accused of knowingly failing in 2022, while serving as AGF, to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly brought before him. The remaining counts relate to the alleged unlawful possession, without licence, of a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges, and expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi in December 2025, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
