The Nigerian government has officially withdrawn the terrorism financing allegations against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.
During proceedings on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the prosecution dropped the initial five-count charge, which had included both terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms. The Department of State Services had originally filed the case.
Prosecuting counsel, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, appearing on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that a revised five-count charge dated April 14 had been submitted.
Malami and his son were re-arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik and entered not guilty pleas to all the updated charges. The court maintained the earlier bail conditions and scheduled the trial to begin on May 26 and continue on June 15.
With the withdrawal of the terrorism-related counts, the case now focuses solely on allegations of illegal firearm possession, significantly reducing the scope of the accusations.
In the earlier charge, Malami had been accused of facilitating terrorism financing by allegedly failing to act on case files involving suspected financiers that were sent to his office in November 2022, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Additional claims had alleged that in December 2025, at their residence in Kebbi State, the defendants were in possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges, and spent ammunition without proper licensing acts previously framed as preparatory steps toward terrorism under relevant laws.
