Former Nigerian Justice Minister Abubakar Malami and his son have pleaded not guilty to revised charges of illegal firearms possession after the government dropped more serious allegations of financing terrorism.
Nigerian authorities have dropped terrorism financing charges against former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, shifting the legal focus to allegations of illegal firearms possession. At a court hearing on Wednesday, prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, representing the Department of State Services (DSS), introduced an amended charge sheet following the recovery of weapons and live cartridges at Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi. Malami, 58, a prominent figure in the previous Buhari administration who recently joined the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), pleaded not guilty to the revised charges alongside his son.
While the ex-minister has dismissed the prosecution as “politically motivated” due to his defection from the ruling party, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the defendants could remain on their 500 million naira bail provided their travel documents remain surrendered. Defense counsel Shaibu Aruwa did not object to the updated charges, and the court has adjourned the matter until May 26, noting that Malami still faces a separate money laundering case involving his wife and son.