A Federal High Court has struck out terrorism financing allegations against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, following an amendment to the charges by the Department of State Services.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, informed the court that the prosecution had reviewed and amended the charge, applying to substitute the earlier counts. The revised charge now focuses solely on alleged illegal possession of firearms, with the terrorism financing allegations dropped.
Counsel to the defendants, Shaibu Aruwa, confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not object to it being read in court. Following the reading, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Presiding judge Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the defendants continue on the bail earlier granted to them on February 27. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15, 2026, for trial.
In the amended charge, the prosecution alleged that arms and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.
The former AGF and his son were initially arraigned by the DSS on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms. The agency had also accused Malami of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers despite receiving case files in his capacity as Attorney-General.
On February 27, both defendants were granted bail for N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
