Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, bail in the sum of N200 million each over charges of alleged terrorism and illegal possession of firearms filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Delivering her ruling on February 27, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions. The bail applications were argued by their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
The court directed that each defendant must provide two sureties, one of whom must own landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja. The title documents of the property are to be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, along with 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 further ordered to surrender their international passports and provide recent passport photographs to the court. The trial is scheduled to commence on March 4.
The DSS arraigned the duo on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms. In the charge, Malami is accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him during his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice.
Both father and son are also accused of unlawfully storing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State.
Specifically, the DSS alleged in count one that Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing. Counts two to five charge the defendants with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, offences said to be contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.