A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 15, 2026, for the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged terrorism-related offences and illegal possession of firearms.
The decision was made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday after the matter came up in court. The case was filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which brought a five-count charge against Malami and his son.
Counsel to the prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, requested additional time to study the case file and prepare adequately for trial, having been recently briefed on the matter. The defence team, led by Shuaibu Arua, SAN, raised no objection, and Justice Abdulmalik granted the adjournment, fixing April 15 and 16, 2026, for the commencement of proceedings.
The court had previously granted bail to both defendants in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties required per person. The judge ordered that Malami and his son remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected. Bail requirements include providing sureties who own property in Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja, submitting property titles for verification, deposing to affidavits of means, and providing recent passport photographs. The defendants must also submit their international passports to the court.
The DSS alleges that Malami, during his tenure as the nation’s chief law officer, refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were handed to him. Both Malami and his son are also accused of unlawfully keeping firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
Specifically, count one of the charge accuses Malami of “knowingly abetting terrorism financing,” while counts two to five relate to the unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges. The offences are said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is set to commence fully when proceedings resume in mid-April.
