Former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, appeared in the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, facing allegations of abetting terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
During proceedings, the prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Callistus Eze, told the court that the defendants would be arraigned on a five-count charge relating to terrorism financing and unlawful firearms possession.
“My Lord, before you is a five-count charge dated February 2 and filed on February 3. Subject to the overriding convenience of the court, I apply that the said charge be read to the defendants,” Eze said.
After pleading not guilty, the prosecutor requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending further proceedings.
Defence counsel, Mr. Shuiabu Arua, SAN, made an oral bail application for his clients. “We seek to make an oral application for the bail of the defendants. We know it is at the discretion of the court to grant bail, and since they have been in DSS custody for two weeks and came directly from the hospital, we request bail,” he stated.
The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, asked the defence to submit a formal bail application in writing. “This is a court of record, so I order counsel to file and serve a formal bail application,” she said.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to February 20 for the commencement of the trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government filed a five-count charge against the defendants.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused in the first count of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while serving as attorney-general of the federation.
The DSS alleged that in November 2022, at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Malami refused to prosecute alleged terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office. The offence is said to violate Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Counts two to five charge Malami and his son jointly with engaging in acts preparatory to terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The prosecution claimed that in December 2025, at their Gesse Phase II residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the defendants were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm without a licence.
They were also accused of having 16 live rounds and 27 spent rounds of Redstar cartridges without lawful authority. The offences are punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, as reinforced by Section 27(1) of the same Act.
While Malami is the sole defendant in the terrorism financing count, both he and his son are jointly charged in the remaining firearms and ammunition counts.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the trial until February 20 and ordered that they remain in DSS custody pending the determination of their bail application.
