The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The duo were docked on a five-count charge bordering on failure to prosecute terrorism financiers, preparatory acts of terrorism and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.
According to the DSS, Malami, while serving as AGF, deliberately refused to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office, an act the agency said amounted to aiding terrorism financing contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The secret police further alleged that Malami and his son were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges and expended shells at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025, without lawful authorisation — conduct described as preparation to commit acts of terrorism.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their arraignment, DSS counsel, Calistus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in the agency’s custody and fix an early trial date.
However, defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwan, made an oral application for bail, arguing that his clients had already spent over two weeks in detention.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the oral application, directing the defence to file a formal bail request.
She ordered that Malami and his son be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the matter to February 20 for further hearing.
Malami’s latest arraignment comes barely weeks after his arrest by DSS operatives on January 19 at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, shortly after he perfected bail in a separate case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In that case, the anti-graft agency had arraigned Malami, his wife and son on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering of N8.7 billion, accused of conspiring between 2015 and 2025 to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities through bank accounts and corporate entities.
The former justice minister, who served under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has denied all allegations in both cases.
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