The Federal Government has dropped the terrorism financing charges against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz.
During the court session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the prosecution led by the Department of State Services (DSS) filed an amended charge sheet.
The specific allegations bordering on terrorism financing (which originally claimed Malami failed to prosecute known terrorism financiers) have been completely struck out.
The trial isn’t over yet. The new, slimmed-down case now focuses solely on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, reportedly linked to a discovery at Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.
Both Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to the amended charges. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that they can continue on the bail conditions previously set in February (which included a bond of N200 million each and the surrender of their international passports).
The court has adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15, 2026, for the commencement of the trial on the remaining firearms charges.
This shift is quite the “pivot” for the prosecution. The original case, initiated in February 2024, was heavily centered on the explosive claim that Malami used his office to shield terrorism financiers. By dropping those specific counts today, the government has significantly narrowed the legal battlefront to a matter of arms possession.
Malami has consistently maintained that the legal actions against him are politically motivated a claim that will likely be the centerpiece of his defense as the trial moves into the summer.
