February 3, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday formally arraigned Abubakar Malami (SAN), Nigeria’s immediate past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count criminal charge relating to alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The arraignment was conducted on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, after a charge sheet was filed by the DSS under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts when the charges were read in open court.
In Count One, the DSS alleged that Malami “knowingly abetted terrorism financing” while serving as AGF by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure an offence punishable under Section 26(2) of the Terrorism Act.
The remaining Counts Two to Five were jointly levelled against both Malami and his son. Prosecutors alleged that in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, the pair were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges without a valid licence conduct which the DSS said constituted preparatory acts for terrorism and violations of weapons laws.
The firearm-related charges allege breaches of Section 29 of the Terrorism Act as well as Sections 3 and 8(1) of the Firearms Act, with potential penalties prescribed under the relevant statutes for unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition.
Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel Dr. C.S. Eze urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial, citing the serious nature of the accusations and public safety considerations.
Lead defence counsel S.A. Alua, SAN, opposed the motion, making an oral application for bail on behalf of Malami and his son. However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral bail request, holding that as a court of record, the Federal High Court could only entertain a formal written application for bail. Consequently, the case was adjourned, and the defendants were ordered to remain in DSS custody as proceedings continue.
The developments signal an intensification of high-profile security and legal scrutiny of senior public officials. Malami, who served as the nation’s chief law officer between 2015 and 2023, has previously faced other legal challenges, including unrelated corruption and enforcement cases.
Observers say the DSS’s charge sheet, which intertwines allegations of official misconduct with allegations of illegal armament possession, reflects broader government efforts to pursue hard-line legal action against individuals accused of undermining national security statutes.