Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, along with his son, Abdulaziz Malami, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count terrorism-related charge that also includes unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to DSS charge sheet, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing during his tenure as AGF by allegedly refusing to prosecute individuals suspected of financing terrorism whose case files were forwarded to his office for prosecution, an offence said to violate Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In addition to the terrorism financing allegation, both Malami and his son face multiple counts related to unauthorised possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, without a valid licence, offences listed under the Terrorism Act and the Firearms Act, 2004.
When the charges were read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the two defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts. The prosecution, led by Callistus Eze, asked the court to remand them in DSS custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
The lead defence counsel made an oral application for bail, noting that Malami and his son had been in DSS custody for more than two weeks and were brought to court directly from a hospital, but the judge declined the oral request and directed that a formal bail application be filed.
Justice Abdulmalik then ordered that both men remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings and adjourned the case to February 20 for the next hearing, including the bail application and start of trial.
Recall that Malami was previously arrested by DSS shortly after he was released from detention at Kuje Correctional Centre, where he had been held in connection with separate money-laundering and fraud charges brought by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving allegations of conspiracy and unlawful financial activities totalling billions of naira.
Both defendants continue to deny the fresh terrorism and illegal arms allegations as the high-profile case progresses through the federal courts.
