“Former AGF Malami and Son Face New Terrorism Charges in Dramatic Court Reappearance”
The national government on Wednesday restructured a previous Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his offspring, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, on a five-count revised charge.
The fresh charge articulated against them before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, relates to purported terrorism and unlawful possession of weapons.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, intended to mark the start of the trial, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who represented the prosecution, informed the court of a novel charge he planned to substitute for the prior one, noting that the revised charge had already been delivered to the defendants.
The counsel for Malami and his son, Mr. Shuaibu Arua, SAN, who affirmed delivery, stated to the court that the defendants do not object.
With no opposition to the revised charge, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the previous charge and mandated that the new charge be presented against the defendants.
They entered pleas of not guilty to all counts, and their attorney requested the court to allow them to benefit from the earlier bail granted to them.
The court approved the request since the prosecution did not raise any objections.
It should be noted that the court had on February 27, granted them bail in the amount of N200 million each, requiring two sureties in a similar sum.
The court then scheduled May 26, for the prosecution to call upon witnesses and present exhibits to substantiate its case against the defendants.
It will be recalled that the former AGF and his son were brought before the court on February 3, facing a five-count criminal charge concerning facilitation of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Nevertheless, in the revised charge, the defendants were allegedly in count one said to have, at some point in December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State ….”engaged in preparation to execute acts of terrorism by possessing, without a license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar, thus committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022″.
In count two, they were claimed to have conspired among themselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by possessing, without a license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.
Count three states: That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, at a certain time in December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did possess a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count four proclaims, “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, at some time in December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did possess Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, thus committing an offense contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count five asserts, “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, at a particular time in December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did possess Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, thus committing an offense contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
