The Digest:
Former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, have been arraigned by the DSS on five counts of terrorism financing, aiding terrorism, and illegal firearms possession. They pleaded not guilty before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The court has adjourned until February 20 to hear a formal bail application and commence trial. The detailed charges allege that Malami, while in office, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute financiers whose case files were brought to him. Further charges accuse both father and son of illegal possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm and numerous cartridges in their Kebbi residence in December 2025.
Key Points:
- The central charge directly implicates Malami's official conduct, alleging a failure to act on terrorism financing cases, a serious dereliction for the nation's former chief law officer.
- Combining this with charges of illegal arms possession creates a potent narrative of both professional negligence and personal security breaches.
- The detailed nature of the charges, specifying laws and items, suggests the prosecution has prepared a concrete, evidence-based case.
- For the judiciary, this represents a high-stakes test in applying the Terrorism (Prevention) Act against a former top government official.
- The case intertwines allegations of state-level failure with personal criminality, making it a complex legal and political spectacle.
Sources: Daily Post
