The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 26 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to commence trial in the alleged terrorism case involving former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz.
At the hearing, prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that an amended charge had been filed, replacing the initial charge on which the defendants were earlier arraigned. He subsequently sought the withdrawal of the earlier charge and requested that the new one be read to the defendants for fresh pleas.
Defence counsel, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge on behalf of his clients and raised no objection to it being read in court for plea.
The prosecution alleged that in December 2025, Malami and his son made preparations to commit acts of terrorism by unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27. expendedim Redstar cartridges without the required licence.
Upon the reading of the amended charges, both defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution to request a date for trial to begin.
While the defence did not oppose the request for a trial date, Aruwa urged the court to allow the defendants to remain on the bail earlier granted, noting that they had complied with all conditions.
With no objection from the prosecution, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the defendants should continue on the bail granted on February 27, having met its terms.
The court subsequently adjourned proceedings 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.
