KEY POINTS
- The FG dropped the terrorism financing charge against ex-AGF Malami and his son Abdulaziz, substituting it with a five-count illegal arms possession charge
- Security operatives found the arms and live cartridges at Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State
- Trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik preserved the defendants’ bail and set May 26 and June 15 for trial
The Federal Government on Wednesday dropped the terrorism financing charge against former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son Abdulaziz, substituting it with an amended five-count charge over illegal arms possession.
Court holds bail as defendants deny arms count
Prosecution lead Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told the court that security operatives recovered the arms and live cartridges from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital. Malami also served as Justice Minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, both defendants entered fresh pleas of not guilty to the Malami arms charge. Defense counsel Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the substitution but asked the court to maintain the existing bail conditions. Trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request, holding that bail she issued on February 27, along with all conditions already fulfilled, would subsist. Meanwhile, the court fixed May 26 and June 15 for trial.
Five-count arms charge replaces terrorism count
The Department of State Services originally arraigned Malami and his son on February 3. Indeed, the original count accused Malami of abetting terrorism financing by declining to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files reached his office while he served as AGF.
The Malami arms charge now spans five counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004. Additionally, the prosecution alleges that Malami stored firearms at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi LGA, without lawful authority. Each defendant also stood on bail of N200 million, with two sureties each in like sum.
