Malami, Son Remanded in Kuje as Court Grants N200m Bail Over Terrorism Charges
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has approved bail for former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, in the sum of N200 million each over allegations bordering on terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik explained that bail is primarily meant to guarantee a defendant’s presence in court for trial. She granted the duo bail with two sureties each who must provide the same amount.
The court stipulated that one of the sureties must own a developed property located in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must submit the title documents to the Deputy Chief Registrar. Both sureties are also required to file affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs.
Malami and his son were ordered to deposit their international passports alongside recent passport photographs with the court. However, they are to remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre until all bail conditions are met. The matter was adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of trial.
The Department of State Services had earlier filed a five-count charge against the pair, accusing them of terrorism financing, preparatory acts related to terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms. They had pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
At the hearing, A.U. Igwe represented the prosecution, while J.B. Daudu, SAN, appeared for the defence and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms. The prosecution informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution and requested a trial date.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the DSS alleged that Malami, while serving as AGF and Minister of Justice in November 2022, failed to prosecute certain suspected terrorism financiers despite receiving their case files. The agency also accused Malami and his son of unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in December 2025.
