DSS Arraigns Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, Son On Terrorism, Illegal Arms Charges

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism-related offences and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants are facing a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, failure to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the charge sheet, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while in office by refusing to prosecute alleged terrorism financiers whose case files were formally submitted to him. The offence is said to have occurred in November 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both Malami and his son are further accused of warehousing firearms and ammunition without lawful authority at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, in December 2025. Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges, offences punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.
When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, the prosecuting counsel, Calistus Eze, applied for their remand in DSS custody and requested a trial date. Defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN), made an oral application for bail, arguing that the defendants had already spent over two weeks in DSS custody.
However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail application, stressing that the Federal High Court is a court of record and that bail must be sought through a formal written application. She consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the matter to February 20 for the commencement of trial.