The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulazeez Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts bordering on terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants appeared on Tuesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

According to the charge sheet, Malami was accused in Count One of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation.

Both Malami and his son were jointly charged in Counts Two to Five with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, offences said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following the arraignment, the prosecuting counsel, Dr C. S. Eze, urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial. However, lead defence counsel, S. A. Alua, SAN, applied orally for bail.

Justice Abdulmalik declined the oral application, noting that the court, being a court of record, could only entertain a formal written bail application.

The case was subsequently adjourned to February 20 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants unlawfully possessed a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 live ammunition, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without a valid licence.

The alleged offences were said to have been committed in November 2022 and December 2025, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court