The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday brought former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they were arraigned on a five-count charge related to terrorism and illegal firearms possession.
This marked a significant courtroom moment as one of Nigeria's most powerful former legal officials stood in the dock. The case, listed as FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, saw both father and son face serious allegations.
Malami is also accused of failing to prosecute individuals suspected of financing terrorism, despite receiving their case files during his time as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. In addition, both Malami and his son are accused of unlawfully storing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
According to court documents, Malami is charged in the first count with deliberately assisting terrorism financing. Counts two through five charge both him and his son with possessing firearms and ammunition unlawfully, including a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and twenty-seven expended Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges.
These offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
Both Malami and Abdulaziz pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them. Prosecuting counsel, Calistus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and set a date for the trial to begin.
In response, defence counsel Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN) made an oral application for bail, arguing that the defendants had already been in DSS custody for more than two weeks. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, however, rejected the oral application, explaining that bail requests must be formally filed in a court of record. She ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody and adjourned the matter until February 20 for the commencement of the trial.
The charges outlined in part include:
That Abubakar Malami, in November 2022, while serving as Attorney General at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, knowingly aided terrorism financing by neglecting to prosecute individuals involved in such activities, thus violating Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
That both Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, in December 2025, at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, possessed a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and twenty-seven expended Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges without the required license, contravening Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
That both were found in unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, in violation of Section 3 of the Firearms Act, 2004, punishable under Section 27(1) of the same Act.
That they unlawfully possessed sixteen live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, breaching Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27(1).
That they also unlawfully possessed twenty-seven expended Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, violating Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27(1).