FG withdraws terrorism financing charges against Malami, files fresh arms possession case
The Federal Government on Wednesday withdrew terrorism financing charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz, and replaced them with a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told the court that the new charge followed the discovery of firearms and live cartridges at Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Malami, who served as Justice Minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, and his son, pleaded not guilty to the amended charge.
Defence counsel, Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal and substitution of the initial charge but urged the court to allow the defendants to retain the bail earlier granted to them. The prosecution did not object to the request.
Trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently ruled that the bail granted on February 27, along with all conditions already fulfilled, would remain in force.
The court adjourned the case to May 26 and June 15 for trial.
Malami was initially accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspects whose case files were submitted to his office while he served as Attorney-General.
In the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, both defendants are accused of unlawfully storing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
