Alleged terrorism financing: DSS to open trial in case against Malami, son
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 26 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to open its case in the alleged terrorism charge it filed against former
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 26 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to open its case in the alleged terrorism charge it filed against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz.
At the mention of the case yesterday, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who appeared for the prosecution (DSS), told the court that the secret police had filed an amended five-count charge to replace the earlier one on which Malami and Abdulaziz were arraigned.
Kehinde applied to withdraw the earlier charge and requested that the amended one be read to the defendant for the pleas to be taken afresh.
The defendants’ lawyer, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), confirmed that his clients had been served with the amended charge and agreed that the fresh charge be read to the defendants.
Malami and his son are alleged to have in December 2025, prepared to commit acts of terrorism by having in their possession and without a licence a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar.
When the charge was read out to Malami and his son, both pleaded not guilty.
READ ALSO: CNG mishaps
This prompted Kehinde to seek a date for the commencement of the trial.
Aruwa did not object to a date for trial, but prayed the court to allow the defendants to remain on the bail the court earlier granted them, with the conditions they had met.
With Kehinde not opposing Aruwa’s oral application, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the defendants continue on the bail earlier granted them on February 27, with the conditions they had met.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned till May 26 and June 15 for trial.
One of the counts in the amended charge reads:
* 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 and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
