Alleged terrorism: FG rearraigns Malami, son on five-count amended charge

Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, were on Wednesday, re-arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a five-count amended charge by the federal government.

The new charge preferred against them before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik borders on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.

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During the proceedings on Wednesday, which was earlier scheduled to commence trial, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who announced appearance for the prosecution, informed the court of a new charge which he intended to substitute with the earlier one, adding that the amended charge had already been served on the defendants.

Counsel to Malami and his son, Mr Shuaibu Arua, SAN, who confirmed service, told the court that the defendants are not in objection to the request by the prosecution.

Following the non-object to the amended charge, Justice Abdulmalik struck out the former charge and ordered that the new charge be read to the defendants.

The former AGF and his son pleaded not guilty to all five counts, and their lawyer prayed the court to permit them to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by the court, a request the court granted since the prosecution did not object.

The court subsequently fixed May 26 for the prosecution to call witnesses and tender exhibits to prove its case against the defendants.

It would be recalled that the court had, on February 27, granted them bail in the sum of N200 million each with two sureties in like sum.

The former AGF and his son were arraigned on February 3 on a five-count criminal charge, bordering on abetting terrorism financing and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.

However, in the amended charge, the defendants were in count one, alleged to have sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, “Did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 27 expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022″.

In count two, they were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in their possession and without a license a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 27 expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.

Count three reads: “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count four reads, “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count five, “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004″.