News

AGF Assumes Control of Malami, Son’s Alleged Terrorism Case

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 5th, 2026.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of former AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz, in an ongoing terrorism-related case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The development was disclosed in court on Wednesday when the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the trial judge that the case file had been transferred from the Department of State Services to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for review.

Oyedepo requested a brief adjournment to allow the prosecution study the file and determine its next steps, indicating that a few days would be sufficient to prepare for trial.

Counsel to the defendants, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment but urged the court to strike out the charges if the prosecution failed to proceed at the next sitting, citing concerns about diligent prosecution. The prosecution, however, described such a move as premature.

Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently adjourned the case to March 10, 2026, directing the prosecution to formally commence trial on that date.

Malami and his son are facing charges bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms. According to the charge sheet, the former AGF is accused of failing to prosecute certain individuals suspected of financing terrorism while he was in office, despite receiving case files for that purpose.

The defendants are also alleged to have kept firearms and ammunition at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without lawful authorisation. Prosecutors claim that in December 2025, the duo possessed a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live cartridges and 27 expended cartridges without a valid licence, actions said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty when they were first arraigned on February 3.

At a previous hearing, the court granted them bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like amount. Pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions, they were ordered remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Among the bail requirements, at least one surety must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and deposit the title documents with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, alongside a valid international passport. The sureties are also required to submit affidavits of means and recent passport photographs. Additionally, the defendants were directed to surrender their international passports to the court.

With the Attorney-General’s office now overseeing the prosecution, attention shifts to the next court date when the trial is expected to formally begin.