The Federal Government has withdrawn terrorism financing charges earlier filed against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, in a significant legal twist that reshapes the direction of the case.
Through its legal team led by Akinlolu Kehinde, the government applied to substitute the original charges with a fresh five-count amended charge bordering on the alleged illegal possession of arms and ammunition. The court was informed that the weapons and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Following the amendment, both Malami and his son were re-arraigned and took fresh pleas, maintaining their not guilty stance to all counts. The development marks a shift from the earlier, more serious allegation of terrorism financing to a firearms-related prosecution.
During proceedings, defence counsel Shuaibu Arua did not oppose the substitution of charges but urged the court to allow his clients retain the bail earlier granted. The prosecution raised no objection to this request.
Presiding over the matter, Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the existing bail conditions—granted on February 27—would remain in force, noting that the defendants had already complied with the requirements.
The court subsequently adjourned the case, fixing May 26 and June 15 for the commencement of trial.
The case, initially filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), had accused Malami of allegedly enabling terrorism financing by failing to prosecute known financiers during his tenure as Attorney-General under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, with the withdrawal of that charge, the focus has now shifted entirely to allegations under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and the Firearms Act 2004, specifically concerning the unlawful possession of firearms.
As the case moves to trial, attention will now centre on whether the prosecution can substantiate the revised allegations, marking a critical phase in what remains a closely watched legal and political matter.