The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where Malami was charged in Count One with knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure as AGF.
Malami and his son were jointly charged in Counts Two to Five for alleged offenses bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. According to the charges, the defendants were accused of possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges without a valid license.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Dr. C. S. Eze, applied for the remand of the defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial. However, the defense counsel, S. A. Alua, SAN, made an oral application for bail.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that as a court of record, the Federal High Court could only entertain a written bail application. Consequently, the matter was adjourned until February 20 for the hearing of the bail application and possible commencement of trial.
The charges are said to be contrary to and punishable under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
