FG drops terrorism financing charges against Malami, son
The federal government has dropped terrorism financing charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulaziz.
The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), announced an amendment to the case during Wednesday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kehinde sought the court’s permission to swap the former indictment with the amended version which includes other old charges like possession of firearms.
Defence lawyer Shaibu Aruwa confirmed to the judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, that his clients had been served with the amended charges.
Malami, who is seeking to run for Kebbi State governor in the forthcoming 2027 general elections, and his son pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
The judge ruled that the bail granted to the defendants on 27 February would remain in place.
She then set 26 May and 15 June for trial.
The Department of State Service (DSS) first arraigned Malami and his son before the judge on 3 February on six terrorism-related charges.
In the charges, the federal government alleged that Malami, sometime in November 2022, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he was Attorney General of the Federation.
The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
These charges are now off the case following Wednesday’s amendment.
In another count, the prosecution alleged that Malami and his son engaged in conduct preparatory to an act of terrorism by possessing, without licence, a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025.
The defendants were also accused of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition, offences punishable under relevant provisions of the Firearms Act.
The amendment of the charges was prompted by a change in the prosecution team.
Kehinde first appeared in the case on 10 March after taking over the prosecution.
During the 10 March proceedings, Kehinde pleaded with the judge to adjourn the trial to afford him to confer with prosecution witnesses.
The judge then adjourned the case until today (Wednesday).
Before Kehinde, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had appeared in the case.
Oyedepo told the judge during his first and only appearance yet on 4 March that the SSS had just sent the case file to his office.
He requested time to familiarise himself with the case.
The judge adjourned the case until 10 March.
However, it was Kehinde who appeared for the prosecution at the 10 March proceedings instead of Oyedepo.
Kehinde also appealed to the judge to adjourn proceedings because he was just taking over the prosecution.
The judge agreed and postponed the hearing until today, when the prosecution brought amended charges.
 and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulaziz.){kind=link}