The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State without lawful authority.

COUNT ONE: TERRORISM FINANCING

In count one of the charge, the DSS said the former AGF did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office as the Attorney-General of the Federation for prosecution, sometime in November 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja.

This is contrary to and punishable under Section 26 (2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT TWO: PREPARATION TO COMMIT ACT OF TERRORISM

In count two, the former AGF and his son are charged with engaging in a conduct in preparation to commit an act of terrorism by having in their possession and without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, sometime in December 2025 at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State.

This is contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT THREE: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM

In count three, Malami and Abdulaziz are charged with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm without licence, sometime in December 2025 at their residence in Kebbi State.

This is contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

COUNT FOUR: POSSESSION OF LIVE ROUNDS

In count four, the father and son are charged with unlawful possession of sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges without licence, sometime in December 2025 at their residence.

This is contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

COUNT FIVE: POSSESSION OF EXPENDED CARTRIDGES

In count five, Malami and Abdulaziz are charged with unlawful possession of twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges without licence, sometime in December 2025 at their residence.

This is also contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

Malami and Abdulaziz pleaded not guilty when the counts in the charge sheet were read to them in court.

Shortly after they pleaded to the charge, prosecuting lawyer, Calistus Eze prayed the court to order their remand in the custody of the DSS and fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Responding, defence lawyer, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN) applied orally for bail for the defendants, arguing that the defendants have been in DSS custody for over two weeks.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail application, noting that her court is a court of record, and ordered the defence to file a formal application for bail.

She ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS and adjourned till February 20 for the commencement of trial.

The arraignment comes after the DSS arrested Malami following his release from Kuje Prison.

The charges invoke two key pieces of legislation: the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004. The terrorism financing charge under Section 26(2) relates to the duty of the AGF to prosecute terrorism financiers when case files are brought to his office, while the firearms charges relate to possession of firearms and ammunition without lawful authority.

The matter has been adjourned to February 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial, while the defence is expected to file a formal bail application before then.

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