The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has set May 26 and June 15 as trial dates for the alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms case against the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz. The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting the case.

During Wednesday's proceedings, which was originally scheduled for the commencement of trial, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), appearing for the prosecution, informed the court that an amended five-count charge had been filed. This new charge was intended to replace an earlier one, on which the defendants had been initially arraigned on February 3. Kehinde applied to withdraw the initial charge and requested that the amended one be read to the defendants for a fresh plea.

Counsel to Abubakar Malami and his son, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), confirmed that his clients had been served with the amended charge and did not object to the new charge being read. Following the lack of opposition, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik struck out the former charge and ordered the new charge to be read. When the amended charge was presented, both Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Subsequently, Kehinde sought a date for the commencement of the trial. Aruwa did not object to setting a trial date but prayed the court to allow the defendants to remain on the bail previously granted to them. The court had granted them bail on February 27 in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum, conditions which they had met. With no opposition from the prosecution, Justice Abdulmalik granted Aruwa’s oral application, ruling that the defendants should continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted.

The amended charge outlines several allegations against Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, all purportedly occurring in December 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the court's jurisdiction. The counts read as follows:

Firstly, "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 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."

Secondly, "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."

Thirdly, "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."

Fourthly, "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."

And finally, "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."

The Federal High Court has therefore adjourned the case, with the DSS slated to open its trial and present witnesses and exhibits on May 26 and June 15.