Abuja — The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms.
The duo appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where they pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge filed against them by the Federal Government through the DSS.
Following the arraignment, prosecuting counsel Dr. C.S. Eze applied for the defendants to be remanded in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial. However, Malami’s counsel, S.A. Alua, SAN, made an oral application for bail.
Ruling on the application, Justice Abdulmalik held that the court, being a court of record, could only entertain a written bail application. The matter was subsequently adjourned to February 20 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
According to the charge, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing in November 2022 by allegedly refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure as AGF.
Both defendants are also accused of unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds, and 27 expended cartridges without a valid licence, offences said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The Federal Government maintains that the alleged offences were committed at the defendants’ residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, and insists it will prove its case at trial.
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