Federal Government has amended the criminal charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, removing the allegation of terrorism financing from the case.
Gatekeepers News reports that the adjustment was announced during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court of the decision to substitute the earlier charges with a revised version.
Under the amended charge, the case now focuses on allegations of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Prosecutors claim that weapons and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.
Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, were subsequently re-arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the new charges when they were read in court.
The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, ruled that the defendants should continue on the bail conditions earlier granted in February. The court also adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15 for trial.
Originally, the defendants had been arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges that included alleged involvement in terrorism financing, with claims that Malami failed to prosecute suspected financiers while in office. However, those allegations have now been formally removed following the amendment.
Despite the change, the prosecution indicated it will proceed with other aspects of the case, particularly the firearms-related offences.
