ABUJA:  The Federal Government has formally withdrawn terrorism financing charges previously filed against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz.

In a shifted prosecutorial strategy, the government’s legal team, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, applied to substitute the initial indictment with an amended five-count charge focusing on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Shift in Legal Proceedings

The prosecution informed the court that the charges stem from the discovery of arms and live cartridges during a search of Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Malami, who served as the nation’s chief law officer from November 2015 to May 2023 under the Buhari administration, appeared alongside his son to enter a plea of not guilty to the amended charges.

Bail Conditions and Trial Timeline

The defense counsel, Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the substitution of the charges but successfully argued for the defendants to remain on their existing bail terms.

• Bail Status: Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the bail granted on February 27 remains in effect.

• Bond Details: The defendants were previously granted bail in the sum of N200 million each, supported by two sureties in the same amount.

• Trial Dates: The court has adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.

Context of the Allegations

The initial, now-withdrawn charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026) had accused the former Minister of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly failing to prosecute individuals whose case files had been submitted to his office.

The current amended charge alleges that Malami and his son stored firearms at their Gesse Phase II residence in Birnin Kebbi without lawful authority, an offense punishable under the Firearms Act (2004) and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (2022).