The Federal Government on Wednesday re-arraigned the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The new charge was read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, replacing an earlier charge filed against the defendants.
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that an amended charge had been filed and served on the defendants, seeking to substitute the earlier one.
Defense counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Arua, SAN, confirmed receipt of the new charge and told the court that the defendants had no objection to its adoption.
Following the absence of opposition, Justice Abdulmalik struck out the previous charge and directed that the amended counts be read. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Their counsel subsequently urged the court to allow them to continue on the bail earlier granted, a request the prosecution did not oppose. The court granted the application.
The court had, on February 27, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 26 for the prosecution to open its case by calling witnesses and tendering exhibits.
The charges stem from allegations that the defendants, in December 2025 at the Geeze Phase II Area of the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area in Kebbi State, unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition without a license and allegedly engaged in acts preparatory to terrorism.
The offenses are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act.
