KEY POINTS

• DSS has arraigned former AGF Abubakar Malami and his son on terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession charges.

• The defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in DSS custody after the court rejected their oral bail request.

• Malami is also facing separate EFCC charges over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering involving his family.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The two defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday to answer a five-count charge filed by the secret police. Both pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

According to the DSS, Malami, during his tenure as attorney-general, deliberately refused to prosecute alleged terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office for legal action.

DSS Alleges Preparation for Terrorist Acts

In the charge sheet, the DSS accused Malami and his son of engaging in conduct preparatory to committing acts of terrorism by allegedly keeping a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm and several rounds of ammunition at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The prosecution further claimed that the weapon and ammunition were in their possession without a valid licence, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the counts specifically alleged that Malami knowingly aided terrorism financing in November 2022 by refusing to prosecute identified sponsors of terrorism, an act the DSS said amounts to abetment under Nigerian law.

After the defendants took their plea, counsel to the DSS, Calistus Eze, urged the court to remand Malami and his son in DSS custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.

However, defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwan, made an oral application for bail, arguing that the defendants had already spent more than two weeks in custody.

Justice Abdulmalik rejected the oral bail request, directing the defence to file a formal bail application. She subsequently ordered that both defendants be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the case until February 20 for further proceedings.