Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted ₦200 million bail each to former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, over charges of alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession filed against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Despite the bail approval, the court ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
Ruling on their applications, which were argued by their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Justice Abdulmalik directed that each defendant must produce two sureties. One of the sureties must own landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja.
The court further ordered that the title documents of the property be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar, alongside valid international passports. The sureties are also required to depose to an affidavit of means and submit two recent passport photographs.
Malami and his son were equally ordered to surrender their international passports and submit recent passport photographs to the court.
The judge adjourned the matter to March 4 for the commencement of trial.
The DSS had arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge, Malami is accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly handed to him during his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice. In count one, he is specifically accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing.
Both defendants are also accused of unlawfully storing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The charges include unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
