The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge alleging terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them in open court before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Following their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Dr. C.S. Eze, requested their remand in DSS custody pending the hearing of bail applications and the start of trial. The court granted the request and adjourned the matter to February 20, 2026, for further proceedings.
The dramatic court appearance marks a significant escalation in legal scrutiny of the former minister, who served as AGF and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The charges stem from investigations that reportedly uncovered prohibited weapons at Malami's residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, alongside broader allegations tied to his tenure in office.
In Count One, directed solely at Abubakar Malami, the DSS accused him of knowingly abetting terrorism financing in November 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja. Prosecutors alleged he deliberately refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers despite case files being forwarded to his office for action. This, the charge stated, violated Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Counts Two through Five, brought jointly against father and son, centered on conduct preparatory to terrorism through unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi, in December 2025. These acts allegedly contravened Section 29 of the Terrorism Act, 2022, and various provisions of the Firearms Act, 2004, including Sections 3, 8(1), and related penalties under Section 27(1).
The allegations follow Malami's earlier detention by the DSS in January 2026, shortly after his release on bail in a separate money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).