April 15, (THEWILL) — The Department of State Services (DSS) has strengthened its prosecution against the immediate-past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz, following the filing of amended terrorism-related charges, as the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed May 26, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case, which is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, took a new turn on Wednesday when the court granted the DSS leave to proceed on the basis of a fresh five-count charge, effectively resetting the trial process in the high-profile proceedings.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that the DSS had filed an amended charge to replace the earlier one on which the defendants were initially arraigned.
He therefore applied for the withdrawal of the earlier charge and requested that the new charge be read for the defendants to take fresh pleas.
Defence counsel, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, confirmed that the defendants had been duly served with the amended charge and did not oppose its reading in open court. Following the reading of the charge, both Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The prosecution subsequently urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Although the defence did not object, it prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted on February 27, 2026, noting that they had complied with all conditions attached.
With no opposition from the DSS, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the defendants should remain on their existing bail terms, having met the requirements set by the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 26 and June 15, 2026, for commencement and continuation of trial.
According to the amended five-count charge, Malami and Abdulaziz are alleged to have, in December 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, engaged in preparatory acts linked to terrorism.
They are also accused of unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17–0101 firearm, sixteen live rounds of Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and twenty-seven expended cartridges without a valid licence.
The alleged offences contravene Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 8(1)(b)(ii) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The court’s decision effectively sets the stage for a full trial, with the DSS expected to open its case when proceedings resume on May 26.
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