By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Government has on Wednesday re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on amended charges bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on revised counts filed by the prosecution, following earlier proceedings that had stalled due to administrative and procedural adjustments in the case.
Malami and his son were initially arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on multiple counts, including allegations that the former minister knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers while in office.
The amended charges also retained claims that both defendants engaged in conduct preparatory to terrorism, including the alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition recovered from their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
At the resumed proceedings, the defendants again pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case has faced several delays since February, when the duo was first arraigned, with the prosecution previously seeking adjournments to properly review case files and prepare witnesses.
Earlier, the court had granted Malami and his son bail in the sum of N200 million each, with conditions including the provision of sureties, surrender of travel documents, and submission of property documents.
The terrorism-related case runs alongside a separate money laundering trial involving the former AGF, his wife, and his son, in which they are accused of handling proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to billions of naira.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter for continuation of trial, as the prosecution prepares to call witnesses in support of the amended charges.
The re-arraignment marks the latest development in a high-profile legal battle involving one of Nigeria’s former top justice officials, drawing significant public and legal scrutiny.
