Court grants Malami, son N200m bail in terrorism financing, firearms possession trial.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, bail set at N200 million in their ongoing trial for alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

The charges were brought against them by the Department of State Services (DSS), and the bail ruling was issued on Friday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Despite the bail grant, the judge ordered that both Malami and his son remain in Kuje Prison until the conditions for their bail are fully met.

During the proceedings, their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, presented the bail application, after which Justice Abdulmalik imposed strict conditions. Each of the accused is required to present two sureties. At least one of the sureties for each accused must own landed property within the Maitama or Asokoro areas of Abuja. The title documents for these properties must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, alongside valid international passports.

In addition, the sureties must submit sworn affidavits of means and provide two recent passport photographs. Both Malami and his son are also required to submit their international passports along with recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge has scheduled the commencement of the trial for March 4, giving the court time to ensure all procedural requirements and bail conditions are properly fulfilled.

The DSS had earlier arraigned Abubakar Malami and his son on a five-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, which includes allegations of terrorism financing and possession of illegal firearms. The counts are as follows:

1. That in November 2022, at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, Abubakar Malami, as Attorney-General of the Federation, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute individuals whose case files were presented to his office, an act contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
2. That in December 2025, at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi, both Abubakar and Abdulaziz Malami allegedly engaged in conduct preparatory to committing an act of terrorism by possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, sixteen live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and twenty-seven expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, in violation of Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
3. That they possessed the Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm without a license, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act 2004, punishable under Section 27(1) of the same Act.
4. That they possessed sixteen live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges without a license, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27(1).
5. That they possessed twenty-seven expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges without a license, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 of the same Act.

The bail ruling provides a temporary relief for Malami and his son while the legal process continues, but the strict conditions imposed underscore the seriousness of the charges and the court’s effort to ensure accountability and compliance with procedural requirements before their release.