The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has assumed control of the prosecution of his predecessor, Abubakar Malami, in the ongoing terrorism and illegal firearms case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the Attorney General had taken over the matter from the DSS. He requested more time for the prosecution to properly study the case file, stating that the trial could not proceed immediately.
Counsel to the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji, did not oppose the application but urged the court to strike out the case if the prosecution fails to open its case at the next hearing, alleging lack of diligent prosecution.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to March 10 for trial and directed the prosecution to formally open its case on that date.
The court had earlier, on February 27, granted Malami and his son bail in the sum of ₦200 million each, with two sureties apiece. The sureties are required to own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and deposit the property titles with the court, alongside valid international passports and affidavits of means. The defendants were also ordered to surrender their international passports.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were submitted to him during his tenure as Attorney General.
He and his son are also charged with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without lawful authority, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The matter is expected to resume on March 10.
