A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 26 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to commence its case in the alleged terrorism charges brought against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), representing the DSS, informed the court that a revised five-count charge had been filed to replace the earlier one under which Malami and Abdulaziz were arraigned.
Kehinde requested permission to withdraw the initial charge and asked that the amended version be read so the defendants could enter fresh pleas.
Defence counsel Shaibu Aruwa (SAN) confirmed receipt of the amended charge and raised no objection to it being read to his clients.
The defendants are accused of, in December 2025, preparing to carry out acts of terrorism by allegedly possessing, without a license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar rounds.
After the amended charge was read, both Malami and his son pleaded not guilty. Kehinde then asked the court to set a date for trial.
Although Aruwa did not oppose the request for a trial date, he urged the court to allow the defendants to remain on the bail previously granted, noting they had complied with all conditions.
With no objection from the prosecution, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the defendants should continue under the existing bail terms granted on February 27.
The case was adjourned to May 26 and June 15 for trial.
Counts in the amended charge read: *Thelat 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 Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence 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, 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 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 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 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 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 Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence 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 Honourable 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 offence 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.