DSS to Arraign Ex-AGF Malami on Terrorism Charges on May 26

By Samuel Akpan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 26 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to open its case against former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz, in their ongoing terrorism trial.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik noted a shift in the prosecution’s strategy during Wednesday’s session.

Lead counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) substituted the original charges with a fresh five-count amended charge, prompting the court to strike out the previous version.

Following a confirmation from defence lead Shaibu Aruwa (SAN) that the defendants were ready to proceed, the new charges were read aloud for fresh pleas to be entered.

Malami and his son are accused of conspiring in December 2025 to commit acts of terrorism.

They are alleged to have unlawfully had in their possession a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live rounds of Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges and twenty-seven expended Redstar rounds, without any licence.

When the amended charge was read to the duo of father and son, they pleaded not guilty.

Kehinde then asked the court to fix a date for the full trial to commence.

Aruwa did not oppose the request for a trial date but pleaded that his clients be allowed to continue on the bail granted by the court on February 27, stressing that they had fully complied with all conditions attached.

The prosecution did not oppose the oral application.

Justice Abdulmalik granted the request, ruling that Malami and Abdulaziz should remain on the existing bail terms they had already satisfied.

The judge subsequently adjourned proceedings to May 26 and June 15 for the commencement and continuation of the trial.

In the first count of the amended charge, the former AGF and his son are said to have, sometime in December 2025 at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, engaged in preparation to commit acts of terrorism.

They are accused of possessing without licence the Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges and 27 expended Redstar rounds.

The offence is alleged to be contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution also accused them of keeping sixteen Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges without a licence, contrary to Section 8(1)(b)(ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other counts.