The legal troubles facing former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, deepened on Wednesday as the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed March 10 for the commencement of trial over allegations of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms — charges that come against the backdrop of longstanding corruption allegations that have trailed the former minister online.
Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, were arraigned on February 27 by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences and illegal arms possession. The case is being heard by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the AGF’s office had recently taken over the prosecution from the DSS. He requested time to properly review the case file and familiarize himself with the facts.
Counsel to the Malamis had urged the court to strike out the charges, but the DPP described the application as premature and asked the court to dismiss it. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to March 10 for the prosecution to open its case.
The court had earlier granted Malami and his son bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties apiece. The sureties are required to own landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja. The titles to the properties must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court alongside valid international passports.
Additionally, the sureties are to depose to affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs. Malami and his son were also ordered to surrender their international passports and passport photographs to the court.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute certain suspected terrorism financiers while serving as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The father and son are further accused of unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA of Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
Prosecutors allege that the offences contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is set to begin amid renewed public scrutiny of Malami’s record in office, as social media discussions continue to revisit previous allegations and controversies that surfaced during his tenure as Nigeria’s chief law officer. Malami has not been convicted of any wrongdoing and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
