Court grants Malami, son N200m bail over terrorism charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, in the sum of N200 million each over charges bordering on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the bail on Friday while ruling on an application argued by the defendants’ lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN).

The court, however, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

As part of the conditions, Malami and his son are to produce two sureties each in like sum. One of the sureties must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja.

Justice Abdulmalik ordered that title documents of the properties be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court alongside valid international passports. The sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs.

The defendants were further directed to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.

The judge fixed March 4 for the commencement of trial.

The Department of State Services had earlier arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly forwarded to him during his tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

The defendants were also accused of illegally keeping firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.

The security agency alleged that Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute alleged financiers, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Malami and his son were also charged with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges and expended cartridges, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.