The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, bail of N200 million each in connection with charges of alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter, emphasised in her ruling that the primary purpose of granting bail is to ensure that defendants attend trial. Accordingly, she set the bail amount at N200 million per defendant and required each to present two sureties of equivalent value.
In addition to the monetary conditions, the judge stipulated that one of the sureties must own a developed landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and must deposit the title deed with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. The sureties are also required to submit affidavits of means, along with two recent passport photographs.
Similarly, the defendants, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz, were instructed to deposit their passports and recent passport photographs with the court. While the bail conditions were set, the court ordered that the defendants remain in Kuje Correctional Centre custody pending the perfection of the bail requirements and adjourned the matter to March 4, 2026, for the formal commencement of trial.
The charges were brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), which arraigned Malami and his son on a five-count indictment relating to terrorism financing, conduct preparatory to terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms. Both defendants had pleaded not guilty at the last adjourned hearing.
During Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution was represented by A.U. Igwe, while J.B. Daudu (SAN) appeared for the defendants. Daudu informed the court that he had filed two identical bail applications on behalf of his clients and urged that the court grant bail on liberal terms, emphasising their right to liberty while awaiting trial. On its part, the prosecution stated that it had transmitted the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution and requested a trial date to proceed with the matter.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, alleges that Malami, while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in November 2022, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute individuals suspected of funding terrorism, whose case files were submitted to his office.
The DSS further accused Malami and his son of engaging in conduct preparatory to terrorism in December 2025 by allegedly possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, along with 16 live Redstar AAA cartridges and 27 expended cartridges, discovered at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government, Kebbi State. The prosecution noted that these actions contravened provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004, forming the basis of the charges against the father and son.
Justice Abdulmalik’s detailed ruling underscores the court’s commitment to balancing the rights of defendants with the need to ensure they remain available for trial. She highlighted that bail is not meant to absolve anyone of criminal liability but serves as a mechanism to allow lawful liberty pending judicial proceedings.
The conditions attached, including property-backed sureties and documentation requirements, reflect the seriousness of the charges while ensuring the defendants’ presence at future hearings. Both the prosecution and defence are expected to appear in court on March 4, 2026, as the matter proceeds toward trial, setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle over some of the most serious allegations under Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and firearms laws.