Former Justice Minister Malami, Son Face Sh*cking Terror Funding Accusations — Details Inside

Both the former government official and his son pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them by the Federal Government.

During proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the prosecution counsel, Dr C.S. Eze, asked the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending the conclusion of their trial.

Malami’s lawyer, S.A. Alua, SAN, made an oral request for bail, but the judge refused, insisting that only a properly filed written application would be considered.

“This is a court of record. We will only entertain a formal, written application for bail,” Justice Abdulmalik ruled.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to February 20, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.

Below are the five counts contained in the charge against ex-AGF Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami:

Count 1
It was alleged that Abubakar Malami, in November 2022, while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, knowingly aided terrorism financing by failing to prosecute individuals accused of funding terrorism whose case files were submitted to his office. This was said to be contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count 2
The defendants were accused of engaging in preparatory acts of terrorism in December 2025 by unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live rounds of Redstar cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges without a licence, contrary to Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count 3
They were further alleged to have illegally possessed the Sturm Magnum firearm without the required licence, an offence under Section 3 of the Firearms Act 2004, punishable under Section 27(1).

Count 4
The prosecution also claimed that the defendants unlawfully held sixteen live rounds of ammunition without authorisation, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act 2004, punishable under Section 27(1).

Count 5
Lastly, they were accused of possessing twenty-seven expended cartridges without a licence, also in violation of Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27(1).