DSS arraigns Malami, son over terrorism financing, firearms possession

Malami in court

The Department of State Services has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulazeez Malami, on five-count charges of terrorism financing and aiding and abetting terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms.

Malami and his son appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The former AGF was charged under Count One with “knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation, for prosecution.”

Both Malami and his son were jointly charged under Counts Two to Five for unlawful possession of firearms. They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following the arraignment, the prosecuting counsel, Dr C.S. Eze, prayed the court to remand both defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of the trial.

In response, lead defence counsel, S.A. Alua, SAN, applied orally for bail for the defendants. Justice Abdulmalik ruled that “the court is a court of record” and could only entertain a written application for bail.

The case was adjourned to February 20 for a hearing on the bail application and commencement of the trial.

The charges under Counts Two to Five allege that the ex-AGF and his son unlawfully possessed a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5720 cartridges, contrary to the relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

Counts in the charge read:

“That you, Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, Adult, male, sometime in November 2022 at Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose casefiles were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation, for prosecution, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 (2) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.