Federal Government Initiates New Charges Against Abubakar Malami and His Son
In a significant legal development, the federal government has announced the redeployment of Abubakar Malami, the former Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami. The two are now facing five amended charges, including terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
Prosecution Announces Amended Charges
During the court proceedings, SAN Akiloor Kehinde, representing the prosecution, informed the court of the newly imposed charges. He explained that these replaced the earlier charges, which had already been served to the defendants. Malami’s legal team, represented by Shuaib Arua (SAN), confirmed their acceptance of the amended charges, stating there was no objection from the defendants.
Judge Quashes Previous Charges
After affirming that there were no objections to the amended charges, Judge Abdulmalik quashed the previous charges against both father and son, instructing them to take note of the new allegations. The defendants entered a not-guilty plea to all counts, and their lawyers requested that they be allowed to retain the early bail previously granted.
Bail Conditions Granted by Court
The court approved the request for bail since the prosecution did not pose any objections. Earlier, on February 27, both Malami and his son had been granted bail set at NOK 200 million each, accompanied by two sureties of equal amounts.
Scheduled Prosecution Witnesses
The proceedings are set to continue on May 26, when the prosecution is expected to begin calling witnesses and presenting evidence to substantiate its case against the defendants. This follows earlier indictments made against the duo on February 3, related to charges involving terrorist financing and illegal arms possession.
Details of the Amended Charges
The amended charges detail that the defendants allegedly possessed a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, along with 16 rounds of live ammunition and additional unauthorized items, during December 2025 in the Geese Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State. These actions are said to violate the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, potentially leading to serious penalties.
Legal Implications of Firearms Possession
The charges also indicate that both Abubakar Malami and his son are accused of possessing firearms and live ammunition without proper licensing. The legal implications stem from various sections of the Firearms Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, further complicating the case for the defendants as they face multiple counts related to terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms. These ongoing legal challenges continue to unfold, drawing significant public and media attention.
