The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arraigned a former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended charge bordering on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
At the hearing, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that an amended charge had been filed to replace the earlier one on which the defendants were initially arraigned.
Kehinde subsequently applied to withdraw the earlier charge and requested that the amended charge be read to the defendants for their pleas to be taken afresh.
Counsel to the defendants, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), confirmed that his clients had been served with the amended charge and did not object to it being read in court.
Malami and his son are alleged to have, in December 2025, prepared to commit acts of terrorism by unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17–0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5.20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar cartridges without a licence.
Parts of the amended charge read:
“That you, Abubakar Malami, adult male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, adult male, sometime in December 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession, without a licence, a Sturm Magnum 17–0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5.20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar cartridges, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Abubakar Malami, adult male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, adult male, sometime in December 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession, without a licence, a Sturm Magnum 17–0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5.20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar cartridges, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 26(3)(a) and (b) of the same Act.”
Upon the reading of the charges, both defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting the DSS counsel to request a date for the commencement of trial.
The defence counsel did not oppose the request for trial dates but urged the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted to them, having fulfilled the conditions.
With no objection from the prosecution, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the defendants remain on the bail earlier granted on February 27, having met the stipulated conditions.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15 for trial.
