The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism-related offences and illegal possession of firearms.
The defendants are facing a five-count charge, which includes allegations of terrorism financing, refusal to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the charge sheet filed by the DSS, Malami is accused of deliberately refusing to prosecute individuals suspected of financing terrorism, despite having their case files submitted to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation.
Both Malami and his son were also accused of unlawfully storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without the required licences.
When the charges were read in court, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following their plea, prosecuting counsel Calistus Eze urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
In response, defence counsel Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN) made an oral application for bail, arguing that the defendants had already spent over two weeks in DSS custody.
However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail application, stating that the Federal High Court is a court of record and that a formal bail application must be filed. She consequently ordered that both defendants be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of trial.
The charges include allegations that Malami knowingly aided terrorism financing by failing to prosecute terrorism financiers, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022
Other counts accuse both defendants of preparing to commit acts of terrorism by possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges without lawful authority, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism Act and the Firearms Act, 2004
