DSS Arraigns Malami, Son On Five-Count Charge Of Terrorism Financing

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge linked to alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

In the charges filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami is also accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers while he served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, despite having their case files.

Both Malami and his son are also accused of keeping firearms and ammunition in their home at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without the required legal approval.

In the first charge, the DSS alleged that Malami knowingly supported terrorism financing by refusing to act on terrorism-related cases brought before him in office.

In the remaining four counts, both father and son were accused of illegally possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 gun, 16 live Redstar AAA cartridges, and 27 spent cartridges.

The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

When the charges were read in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty.

After their plea, the prosecution lawyer, Calistus Eze, asked the court to remand them in DSS custody and set a date for the trial to begin.

However, their lawyer, Shuaibu Aruwan (SAN), applied orally for bail, arguing that the defendants had already been detained by the DSS for more than two weeks.

The presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, turned down the oral bail request, explaining that the court requires a formal written application.

She ordered that Malami and his son remain in DSS custody and fixed February 20 for the start of the trial.

KanyiDaily recalls that Abubakar Malami recently approached the court to challenge the interim forfeiture of some properties seized by the EFCC.