The Federal Government has amended its case against former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, dropping terrorism financing allegations and focusing exclusively on charges of illegal firearms possession.
In a significant legal shift on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Federal Government amended the charges against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz. During the session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), informed presiding Judge Joyce Abdulmalik of the decision to substitute the original charge sheet. The new five-count charge completely removes prior allegations of terrorism financing and abetting terrorism, which had centered on Malami’s alleged failure to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers during his tenure.
The revised case now focuses strictly on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. According to the prosecution, a Sturm Magnum firearm and various live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without the required licenses. Defense counsel Shaibu Aruwa confirmed receipt of the amended documents and did not oppose the substitution. Following the reading of the new charges, both the former AGF and his son entered a plea of not guilty to all counts, maintaining their innocence regarding the weapons found in their possession.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the defendants should continue on the bail conditions previously established on February 27, which included a bond of N200 million each and the surrender of their travel documents. The court subsequently struck out the earlier charge sheet to reflect the new focus of the trial. The matter has been adjourned to May 26 and June 15, 2026, for the commencement of the full trial.
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