The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, and his son, Abdulaziz, before the federal high court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
Malami and his son were arraigned on Tuesday on a five-count charge before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
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The DSS accused the former AGF of allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he was in office.
In the charge sheet, the secret police alleged that Malami “knowingly abetted terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office as the attorney-general of the federation.”
“That you, Abubakar Malami, sometime in November 2022 at the federal ministry of justice, Maitama, Abuja, did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to your office as the attorney-general of the federation for prosecution, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” the charge reads.
The DSS also accused Malami and Abdulaziz of preparing to commit acts of terrorism by allegedly possessing a firearm and live ammunition without licence at their residence in Kebbi state.
“That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, sometime in December 2025 at your residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi state, did engage in conduct in preparation to commit an act of terrorism by having in your possession, without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges and 27 expended cartridges,” the charge said.
The offences are said to be contrary to section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After the plea, Calistus Eze, counsel to the DSS, urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the secret police and to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
However, Shuaibu Aruwan, counsel to the defendants, made an oral application for bail, arguing that his clients had been in detention for over two weeks.
Justice Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail application, directing the defence to file a formal bail motion.
The judge consequently ordered that Malami and his son be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the case to February 20 for hearing.
