Court Schedules Hearing for Terrorism Charges Against Abubakar Malami and Son
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 26 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to initiate proceedings on terrorism charges against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz.
During the proceedings, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), representing the Public Prosecution Service, informed the court that an amended charge sheet has replaced the original document under which the defendants were arraigned.
Kehinde requested the withdrawal of the earlier charges and moved for the reading of the amended charges, allowing the defendants to enter a new plea.
Defending the accused, Mr. Shaib Arwa (SAN), confirmed that his client had received the amended complaint and consented to have it read in court.
Both Malami and his son face allegations of possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, along with 16 live Red Star AAA 5’20 rounds and 27 spent Red Star rounds, in December 2025, in preparation for committing acts of terrorism.
After the charges were presented, both defendants pleaded not guilty. Kehinde then requested a trial date, to which Arwa did not object, but he urged the court to allow the defendants to remain on bail, provided they met the conditions previously established.
Agreeing with Arwa’s oral application, Judge Joyce Abdulmalik confirmed that the defendants fulfilled the bail conditions set on February 27 and concluded that their bail should be maintained.
Judge Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until May 26 and June 15 for trial proceedings.
Details of the Amended Charges
The amended charges against Malami and his son include several serious offenses:
1. Accusations of possessing 16 Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearms without proper licensing, along with preparations to commit terrorist acts in the Guise Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, as detailed under section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
2. Conspiracy to possess firearms without a license and to plan acts of terrorism in the same December 2025 timeframe and location, an offense punishable under sections 26(1) and 26(3)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
3. Unauthorized possession of a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, which goes against Section 3 of the Firearms Act, attracting penalties as outlined in section 27(1)(a)(i) of the 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
4. Illegal possession of 16 rounds of Red Star AAA 5’20 live ammunition, violating Article 8(1)(b)(ii) of the Firearms Act and subject to penalties under section 27(1)(a)(i) of the same Act.
5. Unauthorized usage of 27 rounds of Red Star AAA 5’20 live cartridges, which again constitutes a violation under section 8(1)(b)(ii) of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and is punishable as specified in section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act.
