DSS arraigns ex-AGF Malami, son over terrorism financing, possession of illegal firearms

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

The duo was docked on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences and violations of the Firearms Act.

According to the charge sheet, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to him during his tenure as AGF.

Both father and son are further accused of illegally warehousing firearms and ammunition at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

Specifically, the DSS alleged that the defendants were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of ammunition, and 27 expended cartridges, offences said to be contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

When the charges were read in court, Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following their plea, prosecuting counsel, Calistus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial. However, defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN), made an oral application for bail, arguing that the defendants had already spent over two weeks in DSS detention.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the oral bail request, stressing that the Federal High Court is a court of record and that bail applications must be formally filed. She consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody.

The case was adjourned to February 20 for the commencement of trial.