The Department of State Services has arraigned a former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants were presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge filed against them by the DSS.
According to the charge, Malami was accused of knowingly aiding terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Both Malami and his son were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without lawful authorization.
The DSS alleged that the offences were committed between November 2022 and December 2025 and involved the unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm, live ammunition, and expended cartridges, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
Following the arraignment, the prosecuting counsel, Calistus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the DSS and fix a date for the commencement of the trial.
However, defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN), orally applied for bail, arguing that the defendants had already spent over two weeks in DSS custody.
Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral bail request, stating that bail applications must be formally filed in writing. She consequently ordered that both defendants be remanded in DSS custody.
The court adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of the trial.
The DSS maintained that investigations into the case were thorough and that the charges were backed by credible evidence, insisting that the prosecution would proceed in line with the law.
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