Former Attorney-General Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a five-count amended charge of alleged illegal possession of guns filed by the Federal Government.
On February 3, 2026, the Department of State Services arraigned the defendants on a five-count allegation of alleged terrorism financing, supporting terrorism, and illegal firearm possession.
Malami was also accused of failing to pursue suspected terrorist financiers while in office, as well as alleged illegal possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 handgun and ammunition.
They previously pled not guilty to the accusations and were granted bail by the court.
However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecuting lawyer Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) notified the court of an updated charge dated April 14, 2026, which he stated had been served on the defendants.
Kehinde sought the court to replace the prior charge, dated February 2, 2026, with the modified one, allowing the defendants to enter a new plea.
Responding, defense Attorney General’s defense lawyer Shaibu Arua (SAN) verified receipt of the new charge.
As a result, trial justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the earlier accusation and discharged the defendants.
The judge then ordered that the new five-count charge be read to the defendants.
According to the new allegation, the defendants were prepared to commit acts of terrorism by allegedly holding firearms without a license, including a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 rifle, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 empty cartridges.
The offenses are said to violate sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
After the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following the plea, Kehinde urged the court to set a trial date.
However, the defense counsel asked the court to allow the defendants to continue on the previously granted bond.
The prosecution did not challenge the application.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and set the trial dates for May 26 and June 16, 2026.
The amended charges read: “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025December 2025,, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, December 2025,license aa Sturm Magnum 17 – 01license a-010101 firearm, Sixteen-0101sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges sixteencartridges,and Twenty-Sevencartridges,twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offencetwenty-sevenoffense contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025offenseDecember 2025,, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without a license a Sturm Magnum 17 – 01December 2025,–010101 firearm, Sixteen–0101sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges sixteencartridges,and Twenty-Sevencartridges,twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.
“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State twenty-sevenState,within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 01State,–010101 firearm and thereby committed an offence–0101offense contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,offense2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State State,within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession sixteenState, (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without a license, did have in your possession twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
