The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday February 3, arraigned a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulazeez Malami, on five-count charge of terrorism financing and illegal firearm possession.
The duo was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the federal high court in Abuja.
At the proceedings, the charges were read to Malami and his son, both of whom pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following their plea, the prosecuting counsel, C. S. Eze, informed the court that the case was ready for trial and requested a trial date.
He also urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the DSS pending further proceedings.
The defendants’ counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa, made an oral bail application, noting that the defendants had been in DSS custody for about two weeks.
He added that one of the defendants was brought to court directly from the hospital and appealed for bail on compassionate grounds.
Abdulmalik, however, directed the defence to file and serve a formal bail application.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to February 20, 2026, for trial.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the federal government alleged in the first count that Malami, sometime in November 2022, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute individuals suspected of financing terrorism, whose case files were submitted to his office while he served as AGF.
The offence is said to contravene Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In a separate count, the prosecution alleged that Malami and his son engaged in acts preparatory to terrorism by possessing, without a license, a Sturm Magnum firearm, sixteen live cartridges, and twenty-seven spent cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025.
The defendants were also charged with unlawful possession of the firearm and ammunition, offences punishable under relevant provisions of the Firearms Act, 2004.
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