Former AGF Malami, son, is back in court, pleading not guilty to amended charges

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to five amended charges bordering on alleged possession of illegal firearms filed against them by the Federal Government.

The Department of State Services, on February 3, 2026, indicted the defendants on five counts that include alleged financing of terrorism, aiding terrorism, and possession of illegal firearms.

Malami is also accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorist financiers while in office, in addition to alleged unlawful possession of Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearms and ammunition.

They previously pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail by the court.

However, at the hearing that resumed on Wednesday, the prosecutor, Akinlolu Kehinde, informed the court of the amended chargesheet dated April 14, 2026, which he said had been filed against the defendants.

Kehinde urged the court to replace the previous indictment dated February 2, 2026, with an amended indictment to enable the defendants to enter new pleas.

Responding to this, defense attorney, Shaibu Arua, confirmed accepting the change in charges.

Therefore, the trial judge, Judge Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed the previous charges and acquitted the defendants in relation to these charges.

The court then ordered that the amended five-count indictment be read to the defendants.

In the amended indictment, the defendants were charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism by allegedly possessing firearms without a permit, including a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 cartridges.

The offenses were said to be contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004.

However, the defense prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue with the bail granted to them.

Prosecutors did not oppose the request.

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In his decision, Judge Abdulmalik granted the request and set the dates for 26 May and 16 June 2026 for the trial.

The amended charge reads:

* “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in the month of December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, made preparations to commit acts of terrorism in possession and without authorization, of Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearms, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges and Twenty Seven (27) Redstar expelled and thereby committing an offense 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, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired among yourselves in preparation to commit an act of terrorism in possession and without a permit of a firearm Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA Bullets 5’20 straight and Twenty Seven (27) Redstar issued, is contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in the month of December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without permission, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004 and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in the month of December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without permission, did possess Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004 and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in the month of December 2025, in Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without permission, did possess Twenty Seven (27) Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004.”