By Abiola Olawale
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, officially arraigned the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The duo faces a five-count charge bordering on abetting terrorism financing and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The federal government’s case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, contains grave allegations against the man who once served as Nigeria’s chief law officer.
Count One (Terrorism Financing): Abubakar Malami is accused of “knowingly abetting terrorism financing” during his tenure in November 2022. The prosecution alleges he willfully refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files had been forwarded to his office. This is a violation of Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Counts Two to Five (Illegal Firearms): Both Malami and his son are jointly charged with the illegal possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges. These items were reportedly discovered at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Appearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a short ruling, asked the lawyer to file a formal bail application.
“This is a court of record, so I order counsel to file and serve a formal bail application,” the judge said.
She adjourned the matter until Feb. 20 for the trial to begin.
