The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulazeez Malami, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a combined five-count charge relating to terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the charge sheet filed by the DSS, Malami was charged in Count One with “knowingly abetting terrorism financing” while serving as the nation’s chief law officer by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office during his tenure as Attorney-General. The offence, the DSS said, contravenes Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Under Counts Two to Five, both Malami and his son were jointly charged with engaging in conduct preparatory to committing acts of terrorism and the illegal possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, along with sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5.20 live rounds of cartridges and twenty-seven (27) expended cartridges, all allegedly without a licence at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State in December 2025. The offences are said to be punishable under Sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.
When the charges were read to them, both Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following their plea, Dr. C.S. Eze, counsel to the DSS, asked the court to remand both defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial and for the court to fix a date for further proceedings. Meanwhile, S.A. Alua, SAN, lead defence counsel, made an oral application for bail, contending that the defendants had already spent time in custody.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that “the court is a court of record” and would only entertain a written bail application. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to February 20, 2026, for a hearing on the bail application and the commencement of trial, and the court ordered that the duo remain in DSS custody.
The arraignment comes amid ongoing high-profile security and corruption probes involving Malami. Prior to the DSS charges, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned him, his son and his wife on separate allegations involving money laundering amounting to over ₦8.7 billion.
As the legal battle unfolds, the latest charges place both the former AGF and his son at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most consequential court proceedings in recent times, reflecting intensifying actions by security agencies against alleged terrorism financing and illegal arms possession.
