Malami, son plead not guilty to terrorism-linked firearms charges

Former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, have pleaded not guilty to a fresh five-count amended charge filed against them by the Federal Government, as their trial over alleged illegal possession of firearms and terrorism-related offences continued before a Federal High Court.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) informed the court of an amended charge dated April 14, 2026, and urged the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, to substitute it for the earlier charge filed on February 2, 2026. Defence counsel Shaibu Arua (SAN) confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not object to the substitution.

Justice Abdulmalik struck out the earlier charge, discharged the defendants in respect of it, and ordered that the amended charge be read to them. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

The amended charge accuses the father and son of preparing to commit acts of terrorism by allegedly possessing, without a licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges — all said to have been found at their residence in the Geeze Phase II area of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025. A second count alleges criminal conspiracy to commit the same acts.

The remaining three counts border on unlicensed possession of the firearm, the live cartridges, and the expended cartridges respectively, contrary to the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The offences are said to be punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.

The DSS had originally arraigned the defendants on February 3, 2026, on a five-count charge that also included allegations of terrorism financing, aiding terrorism, and failure to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers while Malami served as Attorney-General under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following Tuesday’s fresh plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a trial date. The defence sought to have the defendants continue on their existing bail, which the prosecution did not oppose. Justice Abdulmalik granted the application and fixed May 26 and June 16, 2026, for the commencement of trial.