KEY POINTS

• Court granted Malami and his son N200 million bail each with strict surety and passport conditions.

• They face charges including alleged terrorism financing and unlawful firearm possession.

• The case has been adjourned to March 4 for further hearing.

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Joyce Abdulmalik, has granted bail of N200 million each to former attorney-general Abubakar Malami and his son Abdulaziz over alleged terrorism-related offences, ordering them to provide two sureties each in the same amount and to submit title documents of a developed property located in either Asokoro or Maitama, Abuja, while also directing them to deposit their international passports with the court.

The pair were arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge that includes alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms, with the DSS accusing Malami of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly forwarded to his office during his tenure, an action prosecutors claim amounts to knowingly aiding terrorism financing under Nigerian law, although both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Allegations of weapons possession

Prosecutors also alleged that Malami and his son were found with a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges, and expended ammunition at their residence in Birnin Kebbi without a licence, arguing that possession of the weapons constituted preparation for an act of terrorism under the relevant statute.

Prosecution counsel told the court that the case file has now been transferred to the department of public prosecution for further handling, after which the court adjourned proceedings until March 4 for continuation of hearing.