By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday granted former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, ₦200 million bail in a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession.
The court, however, ordered that both remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected. The bail ruling followed submissions by their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
Under the conditions, Malami and his son must each provide two sureties, one of whom must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro, with the property titles deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. All parties must also submit valid international passports, two recent passport photographs, and affidavits of means. Malami and Abdulaziz were similarly ordered to surrender their passports and photographs to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik scheduled the trial to commence on March 4.
The DSS had arraigned the former AGF and his son on five counts, including terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms. Malami is accused of failing to prosecute alleged terrorism financiers during his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice. Both he and his son are alleged to have stored firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
The charges include unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5720 cartridges, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
