A former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and son, Abdulaziz were on Tuesday arraigned in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly abetting terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants are standing trial in a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused in count one of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while serving as attorney-general of the federation.
The prosecuting agency, the Department of State Services, (DSD) alleged that sometime in November 2022, at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Malami refused to prosecute alleged terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office for prosecution.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In counts two to five, Malami and his son were jointly charged with engaging in conduct preparatory to committing acts of terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The prosecution alleged that sometime in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, the defendants were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm without licence.
They were also alleged to have been in possession of 16 live rounds and 27 expended rounds of Redstar cartridges without lawful authority.
The offences, the prosecution said were contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, punishable under Section 27(1) of the same Act.
The charge sheet stated that while Malami was the sole defendant in the terrorism financing count, both defendants are jointly charged in the remaining counts relating to possession of firearms and ammunition.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts when the charges were read to them.
The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until Feb. 20 for trial to start and ordered that the defendants be ramanded in DSS custody pemding the hearing and determination of their bail application. (NAN)
