Shocking: Court Fixes May 26 for DSS Terrorism Case Against Malami's Son

Published 1 hour ago3 minute read
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Shocking: Court Fixes May 26 for DSS Terrorism Case Against Malami's Son

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 26 and June 15 for the Department of State Services (DSS) to open its case against Abubakar Malami, the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and his son, Abdulaziz, concerning alleged terrorism. During the court session, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), representing the prosecution (DSS), informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that an amended charge had been filed. This new charge was intended to replace an earlier one under which the defendants had initially been arraigned. Kehinde applied to withdraw the initial charge and requested that the amended one be read to Malami and his son so they could enter fresh pleas.

Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), the lawyer representing Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Malami, confirmed to the court that his clients had indeed been served with the amended charge. He agreed with the prosecution's request for the fresh charge to be read to the defendants. Upon hearing the amended charge, both Malami and his son pleaded not guilty. Following their plea, Kehinde sought a date for the commencement of the trial. Aruwa did not object to setting a trial date but appealed to the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail previously granted to them, stating that they had met all conditions.

With no opposition from Kehinde regarding Aruwa's oral application for bail, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the defendants should continue to remain on the bail earlier granted to them on February 27, acknowledging that they had satisfied its conditions. The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings, fixing May 26 and June 15 as dates for the trial to commence.

The amended charge outlines several counts against Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Malami. The first count alleges that sometime in December 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the court's jurisdiction, they engaged in preparation to commit acts of terrorism. This was allegedly done by having in their possession, 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 cartridges. This conduct is stated to be contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

A second count in the amended charge accuses them of conspiring amongst themselves in December 2025, at the same location, in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by possessing the aforementioned firearm and cartridges without a license. This is deemed contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the same Act. Additionally, separate counts detail the unlicensed possession of the Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, which contravenes Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Act. Further charges include the unlicensed possession of sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, both contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act.

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