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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
Abuja — The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants were docked before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, on a five-count charge brought against them by the DSS.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, pleaded not guilty to all the charges after they were read in open court.
Allegations Against Malami
According to the DSS, Malami allegedly knowingly aided terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation.
One of the charges reads in part:
“That you, Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adult male, sometime in November 2022 at the 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 case files were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation for prosecution, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Bail Application and Court Ruling
Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Dr. C. Eze, urged the court to remand both defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel, Mr. S. Alua, SAN, made an oral application for bail, asking the court to grant the defendants temporary freedom.
Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral request, stressing that the court operates strictly on written records and directed the defence to file a formal bail application.
Next Court Date
The trial judge subsequently adjourned the matter to February 20 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial. She ordered that both defendants remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
