The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday remanded former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son Abdulaziz in prison custody after the case was adjourned to allow the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), time to familiarise himself with the five-count charge of terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession brought against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the remand order following the re-arraignment of the defendants on the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026. Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all five counts when the charge was read to them.
Follow DDNewsOnline on Facebook For More Breaking News
Court Proceedings & Adjournment Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation Rotimi Oyedepo announced that AGF Fagbemi had taken over the prosecution from the DSS. He informed the court that the AGF needed additional time to study the case file before proceeding.
Defence counsel Adedayo Adedeji did not oppose the request for adjournment but urged the court to strike out the matter if the prosecution failed to open its case at the next adjourned date, citing lack of diligent prosecution.
Follow And Like Us On Tiktok
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the trial to March 10, 2026, for the prosecution to formally open its case. She ordered that Malami and Abdulaziz be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Charges Against Malami & Son The DSS accused the defendants of: Knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to Malami’s office as AGF (contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022).
Engaging in conduct in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State (contrary to Section 29 of the Terrorism Act, 2022). 3–5. Unlawful possession of the firearm and cartridges without licence (contrary to Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27(1)).
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
For Breaking News And More Follow Us On Instagram
The charges stem from allegations that the defendants warehoused the firearms without lawful authority and that Malami failed to prosecute terrorism financiers during his tenure (2015–2023).
Malami is also facing a separate 16-count money laundering charge by the EFCC involving approximately ₦9 billion, as well as a fundamental rights suit challenging his detention and the search of his residence.
The former AGF has described all the cases as politically motivated vendetta linked to his defection from the APC and criticism of the Tinubu administration.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
Send tips to: adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
09164987165 / 08168555497