FG Removes Terrorism Financing Allegation Against Malami

The Federal Government has amended the terrorism financing allegations filed against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, thereby expunging the terrorism financing charges.

The counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, during a court session on Wednesday, informed the court of the amendment and applied for the substitution of the earlier charge.

The amended charge is now based entirely on the alleged illegal possession of firearms.

Counsel to the defendants, Shaibu Aruwa, confirmed that his clients had been served with the amended charge and did not oppose its reading in court.

Stemming from these changes, the amended charge was read to the defendants, who both pleaded not guilty.

Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, ruled that the defendants should continue on the bail conditions earlier granted on February 27.

The matter has been adjourned to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

According to the amended charge, the prosecution alleges that arms and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

Malami and his son were initially arraigned by the DSS on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The DSS had accused the former AGF of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers despite case files reportedly being forwarded to his office.

On February 27, both defendants were granted bail in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum.